Podcasts by Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture. Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney's, which called it "the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world."
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Patrick Stewart from 2023-12-12T08:00
Our guest this week doesn't need much introduction. We're talking with the one and only Patrick Stewart. Patrick joins us on the latest episode of Bullseye to talk about his memoir Making It So...
ListenYo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan from 2023-12-08T08:00
Ira Kaplan has played guitar and co-fronted the band Yo La Tengo for almost forty years. He founded Yo La Tengo with his wife Georgia Hubley back in 1984. They've put out over a dozen albums since ...
ListenSteven Wright from 2023-12-05T08:00
If you ask just about any alternative comic from the last twenty years to name their influences, one name you're sure to see come up is Steven Wright. Lately, though, Wright's been changing things ...
ListenSteven Universe's Rebecca Sugar from 2023-12-01T07:47:32
Rebecca Sugar is behind some of the most magical shows on Cartoon Network. They started as a storyboard artist on Adventure Time. And went on to create the acclaimed cartoon Steven Uni...
ListenChloë Sevigny from 2022-04-19T03:00:40
Chloë Sevigny is, in a word: cool. She has an impeccable fashion sense and makes waves in that world. She's an Oscar nominated actor for her role in Boys Don't Cry. An indie darling in fil...
ListenAuthor Mary Roach on 'Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law' from 2022-04-05T03:00:44
Mary Roach is a science writer who covers very specific branches of research: sex in space, cadaver handling, that sort of thing. Her newest book is called Listen
Steven Van Zandt from 2022-04-01T09:26:21
This weekend on the show: Steven Van Zandt! Of course, you might know him better as Little Steven, a guitarist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, or as Silvio Dante, Tony Soprano's right-hand m...
ListenAmy Schumer from 2022-03-29T03:00
Amy Schumer is, of course, the creator and star of the hit sketch show Inside Amy Schumer. She also wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed romcom Trainwreck and has taped s...
ListenChef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt from 2022-03-25T03:00:56
J. Kenji López-Alt is a chaf and food writer who has written for the New York Times, Cook's Illustrated, Serious Eats, and more. A lot of his recipes perfect the staples including steak, potatoes, ...
ListenJeff Weiss on the life and death of Drakeo the Ruler from 2022-03-18T03:01:03
On December 18, 2021, the rapper Drakeo the Ruler was murdered backstage at a festival in Los Angeles, his hometown. A group of 40 or so people ambushed him; one of them stabbed him to death. Drake...
ListenGreg Daniels on 'The Simpsons,' 'King of The Hill,' 'Space Force' and more from 2022-03-15T03:00:51
Greg Daniels is a screenwriter, television producer and director. Over the span of more than three decades he's worked on some of the most beloved comedy television shows. Seriously, he's worked on...
ListenK-Pop singer Eric Nam on the John Legend song that changed his life from 2022-03-11T03:00:03
The Song That Changed My Life gives us a chance to talk with different artists about the music that has inspired them. On the latest installment, we are joined by Eric Nam. Eric is an Atla...
ListenPhil Elverum of The Microphones, Mount Eerie from 2022-03-07T03:51:00.302928
This week we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with musician Phil Elverum. Phil is a singer-songwriter best known for the music he records as the bands the Microphones and Mount Eerie. Earlier th...
ListenRemembering Syl Johnson from 2022-03-04T03:00:33
Syl Johnson, the Chicago soul and blues singer, died last month at 85. He was probably best known for his work on Hi Records, the home of Ann Peebles and, of course, Al Green. In fact, he turned do...
ListenAlana Haim from 2022-03-01T03:00:21
Alana Haim has been leading two very distinct careers. First, there's her music - Alana is one third of the Grammy nominated, critically acclaimed rock group Haim. And then there's her acting. Alan...
ListenRemembering Betty Davis from 2022-02-25T03:00:19
Betty Davis died earlier this month. She was 77. She was the very definition of a cult hero – she never cut a hit record, but her influence is still strong today. Her music was absolutely unforgett...
ListenChristopher Walken from 2022-02-22T12:47:30
You read that right: Chrsitopher Walken! One of the greatest character actors ever. So many iconic parts: King of New York, Pulp Fiction, The Deer Hunter, Catch Me If...
ListenAlan Tudyk on the Craziest Day of His Entire Career from 2022-02-18T03:00:25
The Craziest Day of My Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about the weirdest workday they have experienced so far. This week, our ...
ListenBig Boi&Sleepy Brown from 2022-02-15T03:00:58
Big Boi and Sleepy Brown. Two legendary recording artists! Big Boi is one half of the legendary rap duo OutKast and a prolific solo-artist. Sleepy Brown is a veteran singer-songwriter and producer....
ListenCharlie Day from 2022-02-11T03:00:12
Charlie Day is the star and co-creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. You probably knew that already, because Always Sunny is the longest running live-action comedy in the ...
ListenKristen Bell from 2022-02-08T03:00:53
Kristen Bell joins the show this week to talk about her new series The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window. It's a parody of domestic thriller movies like ...
ListenJohn Bradley from 2022-02-04T03:00:47
John Bradley was around 22 when he got the part that changed his life. On Game of Thrones he played Samwell Tarly, John Snow's close friend for nearly a decade. In the beginning, it's clea...
ListenRemembering Louie Anderson from 2022-02-01T03:05:11
Louie Anderson passed away last month at the age of 68. He was a veteran stand-up and comic actor who performed in movies and shows like Family Feud, Coming to America, and Li...
ListenI Wish I Made That: John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats from 2022-01-28T03:00:06
I Wish I Made That is a segment where we invite some of our favorite voices in pop culture to dive deep into a work of art they did not make but they really wish they did. This time around...
ListenW. Kamau Bell on 'We Need to Talk About Cosby' from 2022-01-25T03:00:44
W. Kamau Bell, a comedian and host, directed a new documentary series. It's called We Need To Talk About Cosby. It's about Bill Cosby – who he is, what he's done, and how we deal with that. It's a ...
ListenEdi Patterson of The Righteous Gemstones from 2022-01-21T03:00:05
The Righteous Gemstones just kicked off its second season on HBO, and that's good news. It's a comedy about the Gemstones, a family of pastors and owners of a massive megachurch with hundr...
ListenAlfred Molina from 2022-01-18T10:54:09
Alfred Molina started his acting career almost 40 years ago. First on British TV and a couple of movies later on. Since then he's gotten over 150 roles. He's responsible for a bunch of other unforg...
ListenRemembering Joan Didion with Griffin Dunne from 2022-01-14T03:00:26
Just before Christmas this past year, the writer Joan Didion died. She was 87. Didion rose to fame for her journalism – she immersed herself in stories. In the late 60s, she broke through with ...
ListenGlynn Turman from 2022-01-11T03:00:59
Glynn Turman is a brilliant actor who's lived an extraordinary life. His first big role was at 12, in the original Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun alongside Sidney Poitier, Ruby...
ListenWinston Duke from 2022-01-07T03:00:57
Winston Duke was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Brooklyn when he was nine. He studied acting at Yale and went on to work mainly in TV during his early twenties. He did not break into movi...
ListenJohn Cameron Mitchell from 2022-01-04T03:00:13
Living legend John Cameron Mitchell joins us on the latest episode. He's directed the movies Shortbus and Rabbit Hole, acted on shows like Shrill and Girls. But he's prob...
ListenSarah Snook from 2021-12-30T15:00:32
Odds are, you know Sarah Snook for her role on Succession, the latest Zeitgeist-y TV drama on HBO. Sarah plays Siobhan Roy. But to her friends and family, it's just "Shiv." Succession follows the R...
ListenBenedict Cumberbatch from 2021-12-28T03:00:44
Benedict Cumberbatch is pretty much one of the biggest actors around. In 2010, he got the title part on the BBC's modern day Sherlock Holmes reboot, just called Sherlock. He plays Dr. Stra...
Listen2021's End of Year Comedy Special from 2021-12-21T03:00
It's that time of year again! Our annual end of year best of stand-up comedy showcase is here! The whole team here at Maximum Fun combed through dozens and dozens of albums to bring you some of the...
ListenBullseye's 2021 Holiday Spectacular: Ronnie Spector, Sy Smith and Jane Lynch from 2021-12-14T03:00:51
The Bullseye Holiday Spectacular is here! We are revisiting some of our favorite Holiday interviews with different guests from over the years. First, we kick things off with Ronnie Spector. She tal...
ListenYeardley Smith on the Craziest Day of her Entire Career from 2021-12-10T03:00:40
For over 30 years now, Yeardley Smith has voiced Lisa Simpson, one of the most iconic characters of all time. She is also an on-screen actor and a co-host on the true crime podcast Small Town D...
ListenMaxo Kream from 2021-12-07T03:00:43
On the latest episode of Bullseye we're joined by Houston rapper Maxo Kream. Maxo's had a tough life, and he's not afraid to put that on wax. He's been in and out of jail, along with many other mem...
ListenHiam Abbass on Gaza mon Amour, Succession and more from 2021-12-03T03:00:06
If you know actor Hiam Abbass from one thing, it's probably Succession. Abbass plays Marcia, Logan Roy's wife. On a show famous for its craven, manipulative, sometimes frightening characte...
ListenDirector Mike Mills from 2021-11-30T03:00:44
Mike Mills is a writer and director who's worked in film, TV, and on music videos. He's made the films Beginners and 20th Century Women and his newest movie is called C'mon C'...
ListenPaul Reubens from 2021-11-23T03:00:09
A special treat from the Bullseye archives: Paul Reubens! The man behind Pee-wee Herman. Pee-wee is, of course, a beloved character among kids who grew up in the 1980s and 90s. He's the star of Pee...
ListenThe Song That Changed My Life: Aimee Mann from 2021-11-19T03:00:23
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joi...
ListenDrew Magary, author of 'The Night The Lights Went Out' from 2021-11-16T03:00:20
Drew Magary is a writer and novelist. He was a longtime columnist at Deadspin. He's written features for GQ, The Atlantic and more. His latest work is a memoir. In Decemb...
ListenThey Might Be Giants from 2021-11-12T03:00:32
At the heart of They Might Be Giants, there are two Johns: John Flansburgh and John Linnell. The two singer/songwriters have been writing and recording together since 1982 — nearly 40 years. In tha...
ListenSébastien Lifshitz, director of 'Little Girl' from 2021-11-09T03:00:03
The documentary Little Girl is a profile of an 8 year old transgender girl named Sasha living in France. The film talks about the resistance Sasha meets from her school, the help she gets ...
ListenDam-Funk on the Giorgio Moroder song that changed his life from 2021-11-05T03:00:44
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around we're joined by D?M...
ListenSusan Orlean, author of 'On Animals' from 2021-11-02T03:00:17
Susan Orlean has been writing for decades. She's the author of the Orchid Thief, The Library Book and is also a staff writer for the New Yorker. This week we welcome her back to t...
ListenTamron Hall from 2021-10-29T03:00:30
Tamron Hall is a TV veteran: She's host of Emmy Award-winning talk show Tamron Hall. Before that, Tamron worked in news. She had her own show on MSNBC and, for a time, was a host on the
Jo Firestone on 'Good Timing,' 'Joe Pera Talks with You' and more from 2021-10-26T03:00:22
Jo Firestone's new comedy special Good Timing is the culmination of months of work from her and a group of senior citizens she taught how to do standup comedy. It also features interviews ...
ListenThe Bullseye Halloween Spectacular: Jamie Lee Curtis, Elvira and Harvey Guillén from 2021-10-19T03:05:48
This week: a very spooky Bullseye Halloween spectacular! We've got Jamie Lee Curtis, Harvey Guillén and the one and only Elvira, Mistress of the Dark! Jamie Lee Curtis has had unforgettable roles i...
ListenJohn Carpenter from 2021-10-15T11:54:07
John Carpenter has made an impact on film in two different disciplines. As a director , there's so many memorable movies in his filmography: Halloween, Escape from New York, B...
ListenSonia Manzano on playing "Sesame Street's" Maria and creating "Alma's Way" from 2021-10-12T03:00:16
For nearly 5 decades, Sonia Manzano played the part of Maria on Sesame Street. The role came to be during her college years while she was studying acting. She had just gone back home to Ne...
ListenMac McCaughan: Superchunk, solo records, Merge Records from 2021-10-08T03:00:40
In 1989, Mac McCaughan co-founded the band Superchunk. The band was abrasive and vulnerable; Guitars dominated their sound, with Mac's voice sitting low in the mix. The band caught on and became hu...
ListenPhotographer Gusmano Cesaretti, and graffiti artist Chaz Bojórquez from 2021-10-05T03:00:34
The photography book Street Writers: A Guided Tour Of Chicano Graffiti was first published in 1975. To the extent that a photography book can be a cult classic, Street Writers is ...
ListenMark Mothersbaugh: The Craziest Day of My Entire Career from 2021-10-01T03:00:21
Mark Mothersbaugh doesn't need much of an introduction. He's a composer who's worked in TV and film for almost 40 years now. And, of course, he's also the co-founder and frontman of Devo, the belov...
ListenThe Song That Changed My Life: Buddy Guy from 2021-09-24T03:00:31
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joi...
ListenJessica St. Clair and Dan O'Brien from 2021-09-21T03:00:55
Jessica St. Clair is a comedy writer and actor. Alongside Lennon Parham, she created and starred in the comedy series Playing House, which aired for three seasons on USA. Dan O'Brien is he...
ListenRemembering Michael K. Williams from 2021-09-14T03:00:15
Actor Michael K. Williams died earlier this month. He was 54 years old. He was best known for playing Omar Little on The Wire. Michael began his career in entertainment first as a dancer in New Yor...
ListenDavid Byrne from 2021-09-07T03:01:17
David Byrne! The one and only. The founder of the Talking Heads talks with Jesse about his latest project American Utopia, and his return to playing live music. He also shares some of the ...
ListenJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from 2021-08-31T03:00:31
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have been working together for 40 years, producing some of the biggest R&B records of all time. In their four decades of working together, the fedora-wearing giants of R&B...
ListenRostam on the Paul Simon song that changed his life from 2021-08-27T03:00:18
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around we're join...
ListenTed Lasso's Hannah Waddingham from 2021-08-24T07:37:42
Hannah Waddingham stars alongsie Jason Sudekis in Ted Lasso. She plays team owner Rebecca Welton in the series. Hannah joins guest host Linda Holmes of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour Listen
Uzo Aduba: In Treatment, Orange is the New Black and more from 2021-08-20T03:00:14
Uzo Aduba first rose to fame playing a character known as Crazy Eyes. It was on Orange Is the New Black, a part of the first class of original TV shows on Netflix. Crazy Eyes, whose real name is Su...
ListenBonus: Remembering Zumbi, of Zion I from 2021-08-19T15:09:38
Zumbi, born Steve Gaines, made up half of the Oakland duo Zion I, who were stalwarts of the Bay Area hip-hop scene for decades. Zumbi died at 49 and what follows is an appreciation of his art and m...
ListenSam Richardson from 2021-08-17T03:00:26
On the latest episode we welcome back Sam Richardson! His breakthrough role came in HBO's Veep. The political satire starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus where everyone is terrible, mean, incompet...
ListenAidy Bryant on Shrill, Saturday Night Live, and more from 2021-08-13T03:00:03
Odds are, you probably know Aidy Bryant from Saturday Night Live. She's been on the cast now for almost a decade. She's been on the cast now for almost a decade. On the show she's done kil...
ListenJonathan Majors from 2021-08-10T03:00:21
Jonathan Majors has been acting professionally for just under five years now. He's done theater, TV, and starred in movies. In that short amount of time, he's become one of the most captivating per...
ListenAlice Waters, chef and activist from 2021-08-06T03:00:37
50 years ago, in Berkeley, Calif., a restaurant called Chez Panisse opened its doors. It wasn't super buzzy at the time. The chef, Alice Waters, hadn't opened a restaurant before. The night they op...
ListenKamasi Washington from 2021-08-03T07:08:33
We're revisiting our conversation with Kamasi Washington, one of the greatest living saxophone players. In the studio, he's played saxophone and arranged for hitmakers like Kendrick Lamar, Flying L...
ListenBusy Philipps from 2021-07-30T03:00:31
Busy Phillipps has well amassed over 60 credits on the big and small screen. Her first big break came when she was just 20 years old on the acclaimed and influential TV show Freaks & Geeks...
ListenTom Scharpling from 2021-07-27T03:00:07
For over 20 years, Tom Scharpling has hosted The Best Show. It aired on the New York public radio station WFMU until around 2013, and now it's a podcast. Tom's also a comedy writer who's w...
ListenAndrew McCarthy from 2021-07-23T03:00:11
The Brat Pack, as you might know, is a term for a group of 8 or so actors who starred in about a dozen movies in the 1980s. There's Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, a bunch of ...
ListenSinger-Songwriter Liz Phair on her New Album "Soberish" from 2021-07-20T03:00:42
Look at just about any "greatest albums of all time" list and you'll usually see Liz Phair's 1993 record Exile in Guyville. The album put her on the map as a singer-songwriter. The product...
ListenRemembering Gift of Gab from 2021-07-16T03:00:26
We're remembering the life of rapper Gift of Gab, who died last month at just 50 years old. Gab was the co-founder and MC for the legendary Northern California hip-hop group Blackalicious. If you'r...
ListenMelissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone from 2021-07-13T03:00:13
Melissa McCarthy has played some unforgettable parts, like in Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. She met her husband, Ben Falcone, when they were members of the Groundlings t...
ListenJohn Waters: I Wish I Made Pasolini's 'Salò' from 2021-07-09T03:00:37
Content Warning: this segment contains some graphic descriptions of torture, sex and violence. It's an interview with John Waters for a segment we do called I Wish I'd Made That. In this e...
ListenPatton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger from 2021-07-06T03:00:15
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger keep busy with various projects in show business. They're parents, too. The celebrity couple don't get much one-on-one time together. In their podcast Did Yo...
ListenWendy and Lisa from 2021-06-29T03:00:43
We're dedicating this week's show to music duo Wendy and Lisa. Together they recorded some stone cold classics with Prince's band The Revolution: Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret,
Canonball: Writer Aaron Carnes on third-wave ska from 2021-06-25T03:01:27
Canonball is a segment on Bullseye that gives us a chance to take a closer look at albums that should be considered classics, to find out what makes them great. This time, the writer Aaron...
ListenNBA Hall Of Famer: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from 2021-06-22T03:01:17
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players of all time: an NBA Hall of Famer, six-time MVP, 19-time All-Star and, of course, the master of the skyhook shot. He excelled at basket...
ListenWill Forte: MacGruber, SNL and more from 2021-06-18T03:00:13
If you know Will Forte from one thing, it's probably Saturday Night Live. He was a cast member for eight years, playing characters like MacGruber. He also starred in and created the hit TV show Las...
ListenAntonio Banderas on "Pain and Glory," "Mambo Kings" and more from 2021-06-15T03:00:41
Award-winning actor Antonio Banderas is probably one of the most versatile, charming and handsome actors out there today. You've probably seen him in "Zorro," "Philadelphia," "Desperado," or maybe ...
ListenRyan O'Connell on Netflix's 'Special' from 2021-06-11T03:00:14
Content warning: This interview contains some explicit language and graphic, frank talk about sex that some listeners might be sensitive to. Ryan O'Connell is th...
ListenCity of Ghosts creator Elizabeth Ito from 2021-06-08T03:00:13
City of Ghosts, the children's show on Netflix, is a bit hard to explain. It's animated in 3-D, and the characters — mostly children — look kind of like Wii avatars. It's set in Los Angeles, and th...
ListenComedian Chris Gethard on the time he got Diddy to play the UCB theater from 2021-06-04T03:00:27
The Craziest Day of my Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. Stepping up to the plate this tim...
ListenRick Steves from 2021-06-01T03:00:52
Rick Steves is probably best known as a public media travel expert. He's mastered the art of travel in his public television programs: Rick Steves' Europe and Travels in Europe with Ri...
ListenDesus Nice and The Kid Mero from 2021-05-28T03:00:18
Desus Nice and the Kid Mero are longtime collaborators and friends, having met at summer school in their native Bronx. They started first as podcast hosts, and now they also make a TV show on Showt...
ListenWriter and Cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt from 2021-05-25T03:00:37
Lisa Hanawalt is a writer, cartoonist, and author of four brilliant books, including "Hot Dog Taste Test" and "My Dirty Dumb Eyes." You may be familiar with her work on the popular animated Netflix...
ListenThat time writer Jonathan Ames broke his nose in a boxing match from 2021-05-21T03:00:19
The Craziest ******* Day of my Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. This time around, we're joined by ...
ListenSons of Kemet's Shabaka Hutchings from 2021-05-18T03:00:55
Shabaka Hutchings is a saxophone player and composer. He fronts the bands Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors. His music combines jazz, calypso, dancehall, hip-hop and African folk music, b...
ListenJason Schreier on the rise and fall of gaming's biggest studios from 2021-05-14T03:00:09
For the better part of a decade, the video game industry has made more in revenue than Hollywood. Year after year, it's not even close. Some of the biggest blockbuster games can pull down a billion...
ListenThe Song That Changed My Life: Doc Severinsen from 2021-05-07T03:00:19
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joined by Am...
ListenArchivist and filmmaker Rick Prelinger from 2021-05-04T03:00:14
Rick Prelinger is an archivist and professor at UC Santa Cruz. He's a collector of found and discarded footage: home movies, outtakes from industrial videos and never before seen b-roll from old fe...
ListenWilliam Jackson Harper from 2021-04-30T03:00:49
William Jackson Harper won the hearts of fans as the sweet philosophy professor Chidi Anagonye on NBC's The Good Place. The role helped jump start his career and earned him a handful of aw...
ListenDocumentary Filmmaker Ric Burns from 2021-04-27T03:00:19
Ric Burns has written, produced, and directed many documentaries over the last 25 years that capture fascinating narratives about different topics in American history. A few subjects he's covered i...
ListenDirector Raoul Peck from 2021-04-23T09:48:15
Raoul Peck makes sweeping, breathtaking, insightful films that marry the political to the personal. As a director, he's made both documentaries and feature films. That includes 2000's Lumumba Listen
Remembering Jessica Walter from 2021-04-20T03:00:33
Last month, the actor Jessica Walter died. She was 80 years old, her family says she passed away in her sleep. Her career spanned over six decades. She's starred in hundreds of on screen performanc...
ListenNicole Byer from 2021-04-16T03:00:24
Nicole Byer is a force of nature. She hosts two game shows and four podcasts. She also writes and does stand-up and improv. She's an Emmy-nominated actor. And if all that wasn't enough for you, she...
ListenDavid Mitchell and Robert Webb from 2021-04-13T03:00
British comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb have been making audiences laugh for over two decades. They began their career performing on stage and eventually transitioned to the world of tele...
ListenKiller Mike from 2021-04-09T03:00:51
Killer Mike first joined Bullseye all the way back in 2009. Since then, he's formed the supergroup Run the Jewels with partner El-P, he's appeared in films like Baby Driver and he hosted his own te...
ListenAdam McKay from 2021-04-06T03:00:11
Adam McKay's had a pretty eclectic career. He started in sketch comedy. First as a founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, then as a writer on Saturday Night Live. He's collaborated with ...
ListenJon King of Gang of Four from 2021-04-02T03:00:31
The post-punk band Gang of Four was an unstoppable force of danceable beats, abrasive guitar work and unflinchingly political lyrics. Formed in the late 70s in Leeds, England, core of the operation...
ListenChristopher Lloyd from 2021-03-30T03:00:52
When you think of actor Christopher Lloyd, what's the first film of his that comes to mind? Is it the Back to the Future franchise where he starred as the unforgettable inventor Emmet "Doc...
ListenKim Deal of The Breeders from 2021-03-23T06:46:03
With a little help from the smash hit "Cannonball" on their 1993 album "Last Splash," The Breeders became one of the biggest names in early '90s alternative rock. In 2018, we chatted with the band'...
ListenDelroy Lindo, star of 'Da 5 Bloods' from 2021-03-19T03:00:47
Have you seen the latest Spike Lee Joint? Da 5 Bloods? It's one of the best movies of 2020. It follows the story of four Black Vietnam war veterans who return to Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh Ci...
ListenPoet Nikki Giovanni from 2021-03-16T14:26:03
Nikki Giovanni is a Grammy-award winning poet, essayist and professor at Virginia Tech University. She's been creating beautiful, plain spoken prose that's knocked us off our feet since the 1960s. ...
ListenE-40, rap legend from 2021-03-12T03:00:19
He goes by many names: Forty Fonzarelli, Charlie Hustle, 40-Water or maybe you know him as the Ambassador of the Bay Area. When it comes to Bay Area hip-hop, E-40 quite possibly the greatest of all...
ListenComedian Kate Willett on the Craziest Day of her Entire Career from 2021-03-05T03:00:46
The Craziest Day of my Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. This time around, we're joined by...
ListenTomm Moore and Ross Stewart: Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea and more from 2021-03-02T03:00:20
We're joined by film directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart—creators of the new animated film Wolfwalkers. The film is the third installment in their Irish folklore trilogy that includes 20...
ListenTerrace Martin from 2021-02-26T03:00:33
Born in Los Angeles' Crenshaw District, Terrace Martin found a love for hip-hop early on. The kids growing up around him were freestyling and playing in backyard shows. He grew up in a jazz househo...
ListenChristian Jacobs of The Aquabats from 2021-02-19T03:00:55
We're joined by Christian Jacobs, aka MC Bat Commander. He's the frontman for the SoCal band The Aquabats. The band got their start in the ska scene in the mid 1990s. Today, they perform as a genre...
ListenHolly Hunter from 2021-02-16T03:00:27
Holly Hunter's had unforgettable roles in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. She's been nominated for several Academy Awards for her roles in films like Thirteen, The Firm Listen
Justin and Dr. Sydnee McElroy of the Sawbones podcast from 2021-02-12T03:00:53
Buckle up folks, it's about to get weird and maybe even a little bit icky! Dr. Sydnee McElroy and Justin McElroy are here to share all the weird and fascinating stories most of us have never heard ...
ListenActor Steven Yeun: Walking Dead, Burning and more from 2021-02-09T03:00:14
Actor Steven Yeun played fan-favorite Glenn Rhee for 6 years on AMC's wildly popular series The Walking Dead. He's also appeared in critically-acclaimed films Okja, Sorry to B...
Listen'All Creatures Great And Small' showrunner Ben Vanstone from 2021-02-05T03:00:41
All Creatures Great and Small tells the story of a Scottish veterinarian who moves out to the English countryside. It started as a book series written under the pen name James Herriot. In ...
ListenTed Danson from 2021-02-02T03:00:40
From his role as the lovable Sam Malone on the classic sitcom Cheers to his role as the goofy demon Michael on The Good Place, Ted Danson has made an indelible mark on our hearts playing the mischi...
ListenJohn Wilson of "How to with John Wilson" from 2021-01-29T03:00:09
John Wilson created the series "How To with John Wilson," one of our favorite new shows, a totally unique look at New York City, social anxiety, the pandemic and risotto. John joins Bullseye to cha...
ListenFran Lebowitz from 2021-01-26T03:00:01
Fran Lebowitz has lived in New York City pretty much her entire life. Her written work often provided American social commentary through her unique lens as a New Yorker. While her work is now iconi...
ListenNatalie Palamides, creator and star of "Nate: A One Man Show" from 2021-01-22T03:00:18
Comedian Natalie Palamides joins Bullseye this week to talk with guest host Carrie Poppy! Natalie and Carrie talk about Natalie's new Netflix special Nate: A One Man Show, what her parents think of...
ListenIsiah Whitlock Jr. from 2021-01-19T11:45:41
This week, we're joined by actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. He played Clay Davis in the iconic television series The Wire. He's also appeared in some of our favorite films including Goodfellas...
ListenRobert Glasper, Grammy-winning R&B artist from 2021-01-15T03:00:52
Robert Glasper is a Grammy award-winning pianist, producer and songwriter. He's worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop from Kanye West to Common. Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly<...
ListenFreddie Gibbs, Grammy nominated rapper from 2021-01-12T03:00:51
This week we're revisiting our 2019 conversation with rapper Freddie Gibbs. Freddie joined us to talk about his childhood growing up in Gary, Indiana, carving out space for himself as a rapper from...
ListenMichael Ian Black from 2021-01-08T12:12:39
We're joined by comedian and actor Michael Ian Black on an all-new Bullseye! He's a founding member of the comedy groups The State and Stella as well as a regular on the kind of t...
ListenGlynn Turman: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, marrying Aretha Franklin and more from 2021-01-05T03:00:21
We're back with our first new episode of the year! It's already one of our favorites in recent memory. Actor Glynn Turman talks with us about his extraordinary life. You might know him as Clarence ...
ListenEnd of Year 2020 Comedy Special from 2020-12-29T03:00:40
It's the most hilarious time of the year again! That's right, we're back for another End of Year Comedy special. This holiday season the staff at MaxFun HQ listened to countless hours of stand-up, ...
ListenWhy Bjork's "Post" is one of the greatest albums of all time from 2020-12-25T03:00:55
"Canonball" is a segment on Bullseye that gives us a chance to take a closer look at albums that should be considered classics, to find out what makes them great. This time, Margaret Wappler makes ...
ListenBullseye's 2020 Holiday Spectacular! from 2020-12-15T03:00:23
It's here! Bullseye's Holiday Spectacular has finally arrived and it's a jam packed episode! This year features interviews with guests like musician and actor Andrew Bird, actor and musician, Anika...
ListenCartoonist and Author Adrian Tomine from 2020-12-11T03:00:56
Adrian Tomine is a cartoonist. Along with graphic novels like Killing and Drying and Shortcomings, he created the series Optic Nerve, which began publication in 1991. He'...
ListenRoman Mars of 99% Invisible from 2020-12-08T03:00:53
Roman Mars hosts the radio show and podcast 99% Invisible. It's a show about the little known stories behind everyday design and architecture. Prefabricated homes. Trash can design. Even t...
ListenAni DiFranco from 2020-12-01T03:00:38
Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco has been making music since she was a teenager. For decades now, she's recorded and released her music on her own label, Righteous Babe Records. Her music is both aut...
ListenCarrie Coon on 'The Leftovers,' 'Fargo' and 'The Nest' from 2020-11-27T03:00:44
Carrie Coon is an actor best known for her roles on TV. You've seen her as Nora on HBO's The Leftovers. No one was as fearless and bold as Nora. She was angry and kind of tightly wound, tr...
ListenDavid Cross from 2020-11-24T03:00:22
Actor and comedian David Cross is our guest! While you may know him best for his stand-up comedy and roles on shows like Arrested Development and Mr. Show, David joins Jesse to talk about his newes...
ListenDavid Letterman from 2020-11-17T03:00:18
This week, our guest is David Letterman. The one and only. He and Jesse talk about the Late Show, about his triumphs and failures, and latest TV show: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, on Netflix.
ListenRob Halford of Judas Priest from 2020-11-10T03:00:11
Rob Halford is a legend in the world of metal music. He is the lead vocalist of heavy metal group Judas Priest. He recently released an autobiography called Confess. In it, he shares some ...
ListenAgainst Me's Laura Jane Grace on her new album, Stay Alive from 2020-11-06T03:00:01
Musician Laura Jane Grace joins Bullseye this week! She talks with Max Fun's Jordan, Jesse, GO! co-host, Jordan Morris about her new album, Stay Alive. Laura fronts the punk band Against M...
ListenCristin Milioti On 'Palm Springs,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' '30 Rock' And More from 2020-11-03T03:32:16
These days it might seem like we're in a bit of a time-loop. Days feel like months. Months feel like an eternity. That's probably what makes Hulu's Palm Springs the perfect movie for this ...
ListenBoo! It's our Bullseye Halloween Special! Elvira Mistress, Andy Daly And More! from 2020-10-27T03:03:33
It's a very special Halloween Spooktacular edition of Bullseye! We revisit our 2017 conversation with Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She'll talk with Jesse about...
ListenElectronic musician, Tom Fec of Tobacco and Black Moth Super Rainbow from 2020-10-23T03:00:44
This week we are revisiting our conversation with musician Tom Fec, better known by his stage name, Tobacco. His latest album, Hot Wet & Sassy comes out at the end of October. Tom joined J...
ListenPadma Lakshmi: spices, Top Chef, and Taste the Nation from 2020-10-20T03:00:58
Padma Lakshmi is a model, actress and the host of Top Chef on Bravo. She's the person telling everyone to pack their knives and go home. Her latest television series is Taste the Natio...
ListenComedian Kyle Kinane from 2020-10-16T03:05:52
We're joined by Kyle Kinane who chats with Jesse about his latest comedy special Trampoline in a Ditch. It was recorded in 2019. His voice is probably most well-known from his work on Come...
ListenActor Richard Jenkins on 'Kajillionaire' and 'The Last Shift' from 2020-10-13T03:01:13
Actor Richard Jenkins joins guest host Jordan Morris on Bullseye this week. Among his many roles, Richard is perhaps best known for his supporting actor roles on critically acclaimed TV shows like...
ListenAuthor Hari Kunzru on his latest book, 'Red Pill' from 2020-10-09T03:00:23
Hari Kunzru is a novelist and journalist. He is the author of several novels including: My Revolutions, Gods Without Men, and White Tears. His latest novel is called ...
ListenComedian Eddie Pepitone from 2020-10-06T03:00:47
Veteran comedian Eddie Pepitone loves turning our expectations on their head. He's a working man's comedian with a set that perfectly melds the impassioned righteous rage of Lewis Black with the mo...
ListenHappy 100th birthday, Roger Angell from 2020-10-02T03:00:27
Writer Roger Angell is our guest his week. Roger is best known for his writing and editing for The New Yorker and most notably wrote about his love of baseball. This week, in celebration of his 100...
ListenCatherine O'Hara, star of Schitt's Creek from 2020-09-29T03:00:23
Catherine O'Hara is a comedy legend. Her work embodies a particularly special brand of comic absurdity. She helped launch SCTV alongside other burgeoning comedy greats like John Candy and ...
ListenNoah Hawley, creator of TV's 'Fargo' from 2020-09-25T03:00:59
Guest host Julie Klausner is joined by Noah Hawley. Noah's the creator and showrunner behind the hit television series Fargo. Season 4 of the series kicks off next week and we've got all o...
ListenMusician Frank Turner from 2020-09-22T03:00:26
Frank Turner talks with guest host Jordan Morris about his new album, a split LP with punk legends NOFX. They'll also talk about the communal experience of singing around an acoustic guita...
ListenBonus: Simon Rich reads from 'Hits&Misses' from 2020-09-21T14:35:47
Simon Rich is a novelist and screenwriter who has worked on Saturday Night Live. He created and wrote for the show Man Seeking Woman and Miracle Workers, a very funny ant...
ListenPavement's Stephen Malkmus from 2020-09-18T03:00:10
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joi...
ListenMaya Erskine and Anna Konkle, PEN15 creators and stars from 2020-09-15T03:00:47
Ahead of their second season we'll revisit our interview with PEN15's Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. They are the stars and creators of the very funny Hulu show. It's about two middle schoo...
ListenThe Isley Brothers' Ernie Isley from 2020-09-11T03:00:35
We're looking back on Jesse's 2015 interview with musician Ernie Isley of legendary The Isley Brothers. Ernie talks to Jesse about the evolving sound of The Isley Brothers, a life-changing gig play...
ListenBootsy Collins, Funk Legend from 2020-09-08T03:00:32
First up this week, Jesse's 2011 interview with funk bass legend Bootsy Collins. A bassist by happenstance, in his teen years Bootsy was discovered and hired by James Brown to be part of the band T...
ListenAuthor Jeff VanderMeer from 2020-09-04T03:00:41
This week, guest host Jordan Morris talks to Jeff VanderMeer about what inspires his writing.The NY Times Best-Selling author has a new book out that is a sort diversion from his norm. It's targete...
ListenAlex Winter on reviving "Bill&Ted" and returning to acting from 2020-09-01T03:00:38
In case you haven't heard: Bill and Ted are back! And today we're joined by Alex Winter. Alex talks with Carrie Poppy about his new movie Bill & Ted Face the Music, his documentary about f...
ListenWhy "Weird Al Yankovic in 3-D" is one of the greatest albums of all time. from 2020-08-28T03:00:01
"Cannonball" is a segment on Bullseye that gives us a chance to take a closer look at albums that should be considered classics, to find out what makes them great. This time, Nathan Rabin makes the...
ListenKyle MacLachlan from 2020-08-25T03:00:36
After college, actor Kyle MacLachlan landed a part in a movie. It just so happened to be the lead in the David Lynch film Dune! Not bad for his very first role. While the film was not a c...
ListenThe Life and Work of Ruth Asawa from 2020-08-21T03:00:23
Journalist Marilyn Chase talks with Jesse about her new book, Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa, which celebrates the life and work of the legendary artist. She talks about Ruth's earl...
ListenComedian Ramy Youssef On Emmy-nominated 'Ramy' from 2020-08-18T03:13:27
When comedian and actor Ramy Youssef had the chance to make a TV show, he knew he wanted to write what he knew: his family, his childhood, his hometown. Hulu's Ramy follows the life of a y...
ListenSports writer and "Stealing Home" author Eric Nusbaum from 2020-08-14T03:00:50
Baseball week at Bullseye continues with a conversation with sports writer and author Eric Nusbaum. His new book "Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between," is all a...
ListenBob Kendrick, President of the Negro League Baseball Museum from 2020-08-11T03:00:24
This week, we're talking baseball! Jesse talks with Bob Kendrick, the President of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City. He's here to talk about the importance of Black Americans in shap...
ListenRemembering Carl Reiner from 2020-08-07T13:02:09
Today, we're looking back on the life of the great Carl Reiner. He died earlier this Summer. Carl's career in comedy spanned seven decades. He got his start during World War II. Carl did it all – h...
Listen'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino from 2020-08-04T03:00:39
This week, we're re-listening to Jesse's interview with the great Amy Sherman Palladino. She's the creator of the hit television show "The Gilmore Girls" as well as the critically-acclaimed series ...
ListenJulia Sweeney on "SNL," "Work in Progress," "Shrill" from 2020-07-31T03:00:43
Maximum Fun's Carrie Poppy (Oh No, Ross and Carrie!) interviews comic actor and writer Julia Sweeney! You probably saw Julia's work on Saturday Night Live in the early '90s alongside Chris...
ListenDirector Kelly Reichardt on her new film, First Cow from 2020-07-28T03:00:49
Today's guest is a revered film director: Kelly Reichardt! Kelly's new film, First Cow, is the story of a loner cook who befriends a Chinese immigrant while traveling across 1820's Oregon and the c...
ListenKatori Hall, playwright and creator of "P-Valley" from 2020-07-24T03:01:47
FANTI podcast hosts Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson are taking over Bullseye this week! Next up, Tre'vell's interview with Katori Hall. She's...
ListenNorm Lewis on "Da 5 Bloods," Broadway and more! from 2020-07-21T03:00:53
FANTI Podcast hosts Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson are taking over Bullseye this week! First up, we have Jarrett's interview with Norm Lewis. The Broadway veteran and Tony-award winning actor h...
ListenSarah Snook on playing Shiv in HBO's "Succession" from 2020-07-17T03:00:15
Odds are, you know actor Sarah Snook from her role on HBO's Succession – one of the most acclaimed TV dramas in the last decade. She plays Siobhan Roy, but to her friends and family, it's ...
ListenMatt Berry on "What We Do in the Shadows," "Toast of London" and more from 2020-07-14T03:00:37
Actor-comedian extraordinaire Matt Berry is our guest this week! Matt currently stars on the FX series What We Do in the Shadows, a show about a group of vampires living in current-day Sta...
ListenHardcore Punk band Trash Talk from 2020-07-10T03:00:05
Trash Talk got their start playing DIY venues in Northern California more than a decade ago. They've since gone on to play their energetic, cutting version of hardcore punk in front of crowds at mu...
ListenRose Byrne on "Irresistible," "Bridesmaids" and more from 2020-07-07T03:00:24
Rose Bryne chooses interesting characters. She was nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of "Ellen Parsons"— a ruthless lawyer on the critically-acclaimed law drama "Damag...
ListenMary Randolph Carter on "The Joy of Junk" from 2020-07-03T03:00:46
Today we're replaying our conversation with the great Mary Randolph Carter. "Carter," as she's known, is the best-selling author of several books on the subject of "junk." Her latest is called "The...
ListenLin-Manuel Miranda on "Freestyle Love Supreme," "Hamilton" and more from 2020-06-30T03:00:38
We'll revisit our conversation with the one and only Lin-Manuel Miranda! He's probably best known as the star and creator of the biggest musical in the last 20 years – Hamilton. The award-...
ListenCartoonist&Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang from 2020-06-26T03:00:47
Gene Luen Yang has written a lot of critically acclaimed graphic novels: American Born Chinese, Boxers & Saints, The Shadow Hero, and the graphic novel series Secret ...
ListenRob McElhenney: Always Sunny, Mythic Quest, more! from 2020-06-23T03:00:52
Guest host Jordan Morris chats with actor, director Rob McElhenney about his career. Rob's the creator and star of what will soon be the longest running American sitcom of all time— It's Always Sun...
ListenIndigo Girls from 2020-06-19T03:00:43
It's a collaboration that's lasted 35 years now and is still going strong. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers – Indigo Girls! They're the duo behind the songs Closer to Fine, Galileo, ...
ListenGiancarlo Esposito: Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad and Do The Right Thing from 2020-06-16T03:00:15
We're joined by guest host Linda Holmes for a very special interview with Giancarlo Esposito. Giancarlo plays Gus Fring, the brilliant villain on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul...
ListenDaveed Diggs: Hamilton, Clipping, Blindspotting and more from 2020-06-09T03:00:32
This week, we're taking a look back at our interview with multi-talented performer Daveed Diggs. He's an actor of stage and screen appearing in projects including Zootopia and Black-is...
ListenDoug Jones: The Craziest Day of My Career from 2020-06-05T03:00:43
The Craziest Day of My Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. This time around, we're joined by...
ListenElisabeth Moss from 2020-06-02T03:00:37
You know Elisabeth Moss for her roles on Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale. Or maybe you're a West Wing fan and waited with baited breath to see if Zoey and Charlie would e...
ListenRemembering Coyle and Sharpe, groundbreaking comedy duo from 2020-05-26T11:31:09
This week, we're doing something a little different: looking back on the work of Jim Coyle and Mal Sharpe. Two brilliant comedians, decades ahead of their time. The comedy duo recorded a series of ...
ListenTina Fey and Robert Carlock from 2020-05-19T03:00:45
Hey! It's Tina Fey and Robert Carlock - the legendary co-creating and writing team behind 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, two of the funniest TV shows ever! Tina and Robert...
ListenAdult Swim's 'Three Busy Debras' from 2020-05-15T10:13:16
Maybe you're looking for a distraction. Maybe it's a TV show. One that can transport somewhere else. Perhaps it's a world where iguanas are mail carriers, and lawn hedges are trimmed with shaving c...
ListenComedian Eugene Mirman from 2020-05-12T03:00:13
We're joined by comedian Eugene Mirman! The comedian and writer has opened for comedy duo Flight of the Conchords and played Yvgeny Mirminsky on Adult Swim's Delocated. He is also the voic...
ListenComedian Nikki Glaser from 2020-05-08T03:00:24
This week, we're joined by the great Nikki Glaser! Nikki has been a star in the standup community for years, but she's probably best known for her performances on Comedy Central's Celebrity Roasts ...
ListenChristoph Waltz from 2020-05-05T03:00:28
We're joined by the great Christoph Waltz! We'll talk about his breakout role in Inglourious Basterds – Quentin Tarantino's bonkers World War II action thriller. At the time, Waltz was a r...
ListenRemembering Bill Withers from 2020-04-28T03:00:46
Bill Withers died last month. He was 81. For Bullseye this week, we look back at our two interviews with the soul singer responsible for such classics as "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lean on Me" and "Gra...
ListenCartoonist Ben Katchor from 2020-04-24T03:00:15
Cartoonist Ben Katchor is probably best known for his comic strip Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer, a comic about small businessman who roams the city capturing pictures of a fading ideal of ...
ListenZZ Top's Billy Gibbons from 2020-04-17T03:00:10
We're joined by the always sharply-dressed Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top! He's been the lead guitarist and singer of the band for over fifty years with classic songs like "La Grange," "Sharp Dressed Man"...
ListenAlan Yang on Tigertail, Master of None and more from 2020-04-14T03:00:58
Director and writer Alan Yang is probably best known for co-creatoring the hit Netflix series "Master of None" and his impressive comedy writing credits on shows like Parks and Recreation. But hi...
ListenProducer and DJ Cut Chemist on the song that changed his life from 2020-04-10T03:00:24
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. We're joined by DJ and master of the...
ListenNBA All-Star Metta World Peace from 2020-04-07T03:00:57
Missing basketball? Today, we're looking back on our conversation with NBA All-Star Metta World Peace! His larger than life personality often precedes him and has made him one of the most polarizin...
ListenComedian Tom Papa from 2020-04-03T03:00:51
Comedian Tom Papa wants you to focus on the small victories. The little triumphs in everyday life that add up to winning the war against cynicism. His new Netflix special, You're Doing Great! sums ...
ListenBrooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator Dan Goor from 2020-03-31T03:00:04
Maybe you're stuck at home, like the rest us. Maybe you're looking for something to binge, like the rest of us. May we suggest Brooklyn Nine-Nine? You've seen the premise of the police pro...
ListenBoots Riley: The Coup, Sorry to Bother You, and more from 2020-03-24T03:00:04
We revisit our conversation with the writer-director and rapper Boots Riley. He's a founding member of the legendary hip hop group The Coup. The band's sound is politically-charged with a ...
ListenDavid Simon from 2020-03-20T03:00:26
TV writer and producer David Simon is our guest this week. Simon is the force behind some of television's most compelling and critically acclaimed series such as The Wire, Treme and The Deuce. He j...
ListenJason Segel from 2020-03-17T03:00:39
Jason Segel has had a lot of interesting roles over the years. He got his start on screen in his late teens on the short-lived cult tv show Freaks and Geeks. From there he starred in a bun...
ListenAnnette Bening from 2020-03-13T03:00:04
We're joined by the talented and captivating Annette Bening! She stars alongside Bill Nighy in the new film "Hope Gap." In it, she plays a woman dealing with the wreckage after being blindsided by ...
ListenWill Forte from 2020-03-10T03:00:58
At long last: Will Forte! The actor, writer, comedian joins us to talk about his new film, Extra Ordinary. In it, Will plays Christian Winter, a washed up American one-hit-wonder living in Ireland ...
ListenJazz vocalist Gregory Porter from 2020-03-06T03:00:59
We revisit our conversation with Gregory Porter. He's a Grammy winning jazz singer, the pride of Bakersfield California and, until his junior year of college, he was an aspiring football player. Wh...
ListenSongwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez from 2020-03-03T03:00:11
We revisit our magical conversation with Academy Award winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. They're the husband and wife writing team behind 2013's modern classic "Let it Go...
ListenCartoonist Lynda Barry, MacArthur 'Genius' Fellow from 2020-02-28T03:37:01
Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. She's also one of the latest recipients of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. She's written over a dozen books. These days, she's been busy teachi...
ListenMaria Bamford from 2020-02-25T03:00:47
Comedian Maria Bamford is back! We are thrilled as always to welcome her for another conversation with Bullseye. The stand-up, writer and actor joins us to talk about her two newest projects: the h...
ListenZach Woods, from 'Silicon Valley,' 'The Office,' 'Avenue 5' and more from 2020-02-21T03:00:21
It's Zach Woods! You may know him best from NBC's The Office where he played the truly dreadful Gabe for three seasons. You've also seen his work as Jared Dunn on the HBO series Silico...
ListenBen Schwartz on playing Sonic the Hedgehog, Jean-Ralphio, and more from 2020-02-18T10:08:48
Parks and Recreation's Jean-Ralphio! Star Wars' BB-8! And, now the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog! We're joined by Ben Schwartz. Ben's big break came in 2010 with a small recurring r...
ListenHuey Lewis on the song that changed his life from 2020-02-14T08:57:50
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joi...
ListenSteve Buscemi from 2020-02-11T03:00:53
Steve Buscemi! The best ever. Steve joins us to talk about the latest season of his hit TBS show Miracle Workers, now in its second season. The anthology series steps back into the Dark Ag...
ListenRemembering Jim Lehrer from 2020-02-07T03:00:05
We're replaying Jesse's 2010 interview with Jim Lehrer, who died last month at 85. He was a giant in the world of journalism – particularly in the world of public broadcasting. Jim hosted PBS' ...
ListenRandy Newman: legendary songwriter, Oscar nominee, more from 2020-02-04T03:00:51
We're revisiting our conversation with the great Randy Newman. He's just been nominated for two Academy Awards, one for the score he composed for Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story, and anothe...
ListenJoe Pera of "Joe Pera Talks With You" from 2020-01-31T03:00:49
Joe is the creator and star of Adult Swim's Joe Pera Talks with You, one of our favorite new shows TV. In it, Joe plays a version of himself living in small-town Michigan as a middle-schoo...
ListenDirector Greta Gerwig on 'Little Women' from 2020-01-28T03:00
The brilliant Greta Gerwig joins us for the third time! We'll welcome back Greta to talk about her latest film. It's an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It's up for six Acad...
ListenBonus: Remembering Monty Python's Terry Jones from 2020-01-25T09:00:16
This past week, we lost a talented comic genius: Terry Jones. He was one of the founding members of the legendary British sketch comedy group Monty Python. He co-directed Monty Python and the H...
ListenSusan Orlean, author of "The Library Book" from 2020-01-24T03:00:15
We're taking a look back at some of our favorite moments from over two decades worth of Bullseye episodes. In 2018, we caught up with journalist and author Susan Orlean. Susan's an accomplished aut...
ListenTony Shalhoub from 2020-01-21T03:00:35
Now that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is in its third season, we're revisiting our interview with actor Tony Shalhoub. He talks about how he loves acting in Mrs. Maisel's low-tech wo...
ListenChoreographer Twyla Tharp talks dancing, aging, stirs the pot from 2020-01-17T03:00:55
Twyla Tharp has moved her whole life. She dances - she's danced and choreographed professionally for 55 years now. She exercises. And now, she has a book. "Keep it Moving" is a manifesto on living ...
ListenRob Huebel, Star of Medical Police from 2020-01-14T03:00:11
Rob Huebel joins us to talk about his new series Medical Police - the spin-off of his old show Children's Hospital, which ran for seven seasons on Adult Swim. He's a talented comi...
ListenIn Fabric's Marianne Jean-Baptiste from 2020-01-10T10:28:45
In Fabric's Marianne Jean-Baptiste joins us to talk about her role in Peter Strickland's bizarre thriller. Marianne is an acting veteran. She's starred in varied works, from acclaimed dram...
ListenTanya Tucker: Country legend, Grammy nominee from 2020-01-07T03:00:09
Tanya Tucker is an award-winning country star who has been making music since she was just a kid! She rose to fame in the 70s with hits like "Love's the Answer" and her debut single "Delta Dawn." H...
ListenRemembering cartoonist Gahan Wilson from 2020-01-03T03:00:35
We lost an incredibly talented cartoonist last year, Gahan Wilson. For more than 50 years, his twisted single-panel cartoons have appeared in magazines like Playboy and The New Yorker. His work alw...
ListenRemembering Caroll Spinney, the voice and spirit of Big Bird from 2019-12-31T03:00:35
We're taking a moment to look back at a past Bullseye guests we lost this year, Caroll Spinney. He was Big Bird's puppeteer for 50 years, but he was so much more than the literal man inside the cos...
ListenEnd of Year Stand-Up Comedy Special 2019! from 2019-12-24T03:00:03
It's our favorite time of the year: the end of it! We're celebrating 2019 with excerpts from some of the best stand up comedy records of 2019. You'll hear material from Roy Wood Jr, Pete Holmes, Cr...
ListenHoliday Special! Feat. the Monkees' Micky Dolenz, McElroy Brothers and more! from 2019-12-17T09:02:23
Get ready for a bonanza of holiday cheer! This week, we're listening back on the Bullseye holiday special from last year. Micky Dolenz of The Monkees talks about the band's album Christmas Par...
Listen"The Kingmaker" filmmaker Lauren Greenfield on interviewing Imelda Marcos from 2019-12-13T03:00:02
Imelda Marcos is one of the most notorious figures in recent history, and she's the subject of Lauren Greenfield's new documentary The Kingmaker. It's an intimate profile of the former Phi...
ListenRebecca Sugar from 2019-12-10T03:00:21
Hey! It's the brilliant animator, writer and songwriter Rebecca Sugar! Creator of the wildly popular Steven Universe. She's earned six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the series and i...
ListenKathryn Hahn from 2019-12-06T03:00:47
Join us as we dig in the archives and revisit our conversation with Kathryn Hahn. You've seen her in comedy films like Step Brothers, the Anchorman movies, and many more. These da...
ListenWatchmen's Tim Blake Nelson from 2019-12-03T03:00:06
Dig into the archives with us as we revisit our conversation with the great actor Tim Blake Nelson! Currently, he's starring in the brand new, critically acclaimed HBO show Watchmen. On Bullseye, h...
ListenChef Alice Waters from 2019-11-29T03:01:53
Alice Waters is a chef, an activist and a best-selling author. She is the founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, a restaurant that sources ingredients from local farmers and producers and is...
ListenLin-Manuel Miranda from 2019-11-26T09:52
Lin-Manuel Miranda is the star and creator of the biggest musical this century has seen: Hamilton. These days, he's got another show on Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme. It's an i...
ListenTim Heidecker: The Craziest Day of My Career from 2019-11-22T03:00
The Craziest Day Of My Entire Career is a segment where we let some of our favorite people tell us the wildest stories from their long and storied time in showbiz. This time it's Tim Heide...
ListenRosie Perez from 2019-11-19T03:00:57
Rosie Perez is one of the most fascinating people we've had on Bullseye. A native of Bushwick, Brooklyn, she's performed on stage and screen. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in ...
ListenWill and Grace's Megan Mullally from 2019-11-15T03:00:02
Megan Mullally is a comedy legend known for playing eccentric characters. She got her big break playing perhaps her most over-the-top persona, the martini-toting socialite Karen Walker on the groun...
ListenForest Whitaker from 2019-11-12T12:32:05
Forest Whitaker has got this knack for taking huge figures from history and portraying them as complex, fascinating, sometimes really fragile people. You've seen him as the star of countless great ...
ListenAntonio Banderas from 2019-11-08T03:00:34
Antonio Banderas joins us to talk about his latest project with Pedro Almodóvar — Pain and Glory, a touching and beautiful confessional about living with chronic pain. Banderas plays a dir...
Listen"The Lighthouse" Director Robert Eggers from 2019-11-05T05:00:57
Robert Eggers is a filmmaker who's made a name for himself making beautiful horror films that linger with you. Long after you've left the theater. His 2015 film The Witch premiered at the ...
ListenSoprano Renée Fleming from 2019-11-01T05:00:46
Known as "America's Diva," Renée Fleming has performed in venues all over the world, singing in acclaimed productions of operas composed by Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Dvorak and more. She's tackled th...
ListenComedian Josh Gondelman from 2019-10-29T05:00:46
We're joined by comedian and admitted "Nice Guy" Josh Gondelman. Josh is a Peabody and Emmy award winning writer for his work on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He's currently senior s...
ListenNFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez from 2019-10-25T05:00:45
He's one of the greatest tight ends in history, but it wasn't always easy. Growing up, Tony Gonzalez was bullied constantly. His first year in the NFL was so tough he almost called it quits. And th...
ListenSatirist and director Chris Morris on "The Day Shall Come" from 2019-10-22T05:00:27
Lately, Chris Morris has been basing a lot of his absurdist comedy on real life world events. His new film, The Day Shall Come, is kind of a farce about terrorism and the FBI's efforts to ...
ListenThe Righteous Gemstones' Edi Patterson from 2019-10-18T05:00:32
Edi Petterson is an actress and comedian. She's a veteran of the Groundlings sketch group and we can not stress this to you enough: she is super funny. She currently co stars alongside Danny McBrid...
ListenJohn Leguizamo from 2019-10-15T05:00:17
John Leguizamo is a super-famous actor who's been in well over 100 movies and TV shows. He's also a writer whose created and starred in a handful of powerful, hilarious one-man shows over his caree...
ListenClipping's Daveed Diggs: noise rap, Hamilton&Sesame Street from 2019-10-08T05:00:29
Let's start taking bets for the next person to EGOT: that is, the next person to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony award. Our money is on Daveed Diggs. He's already got a Grammy and a Tony for ...
ListenTaylor McFerrin from 2019-10-04T05:00:43
Taylor McFerrin is a gifted musician who got his start as a beatboxer, making beats and producing tracks for others. He's also made music as a keyboardist, a DJ and a composer. The son of vocalist...
ListenPeter Sarsgaard from 2019-10-01T05:00:55
Peter Sarsgaard is an enigmatic actor who has appeared in over 60 different roles in films like An Education, The Magnificent Seven and Green Lantern. He got his start in...
ListenFreddie Gibbs from 2019-09-24T08:57:27
Critically acclaimed rapper Freddie Gibbs joins Bullseye to talk about his music career. He was born and raised in Gary Indiana - the birthplace of the Jackson 5. Gibbs grew up seeing his neighbor...
ListenComedian and writer Joel Kim Booster from 2019-09-20T05:01
Joel Kim Booster is a writer and comedian. He's written for "Billy on the Street," "Problematic with Moshe Kasher" and Netflix's "Big Mouth." And as a standup, he's appeared on Conan, Comedy Centra...
ListenDev Hynes of Blood Orange from 2019-09-17T05:00:50
Dev Hynes, the recording artist behind Blood Orange, joins Bullseye to talk about his music career. Being born in a place called Essex, approximately 30 miles outside London, was kind of the ideal ...
ListenComedian Matt Braunger from 2019-09-13T05:00:43
The Craziest Day of my Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. This time around, we're joined by...
ListenBelle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch from 2019-09-06T05:04:46
Since their debut, Belle and Sebastian records have made it on literally hundreds of top ten lists.Their second album, 1996's "If You're Feeling Sinister," is routinely called one of the best album...
ListenDavid Oyelowo, from 'Don't Let Go,' 'Selma,' and more from 2019-09-03T07:00:54
David Oyelowo is an incredibly versatile actor. Classically-trained, he got his start at the Royal Shakespeare company in London. From there, he took parts on British TV and in movies like The ...
ListenI Wish I'd Made That: Nick Offerman from 2019-08-30T15:26:47
Artists, musicians, and filmmakers are often inspired by what they see or hear. Sometimes that thing is so great, they tell us they wish they made it themselves. It happens so often we made a segme...
ListenJulio Torres on 'My Favorite Shapes,' 'SNL,' and 'Los Espookys' from 2019-08-27T08:39:12
Julio Torres has created some of our favorite sketches for Saturday Night Live in recent memory. His sketches on the show are a little different than standard SNL fare. It's not t...
ListenJustin Simien, creator of "Dear White People" from 2019-08-23T05:50:35
Justin Simien is a writer and director to watch out for in the next decade, but maybe you should pay attention to his work this decade, too. His breakthrough film, "Dear White People," came onto th...
ListenAmy Sherman-Palladino, creator of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' and 'Gilmore Girls' from 2019-08-20T07:00:59
Amy Sherman-Palladino has worked on some of the most unique programs to be ever greenlit for the TV screen. You've seen her work on Gilmore Girls. For three seasons, she was a writer on
The Egyptian Lover, hip-hop pioneer from 2019-08-16T12:36:30
We'll chat with the one and only Egyptian Lover. Born Greg Broussard – he's a DJ, a producer, a rapper sometimes, too. He came up with Uncle Jamm's Army, a hip-hop crew that featured promoter and D...
ListenEugene Levy from "Schitt's Creek," "American Pie" and more from 2019-08-13T07:00:36
Eugene Levy is hands down one of the funniest people in history. The Canadian-born actor and funnyman got his start in the world of improv when he joined Chicago's Second City. His first big break ...
ListenPsychedelic bedroom pop musician Cuco from 2019-08-09T13:49:12
The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around, we're joi...
ListenJeff Goldblum from 2019-08-06T07:00:04
There's no one else on the planet quite like Jeff Goldblum. He came onto the scene over four decades ago with the role of "Freak #1" in the 1974 revenge fantasy Death Wish. Since then, he's appeare...
ListenLesley Manville from 'Mum,' 'Another Year,' and more from 2019-08-02T05:21:50
British actor Lesley Manville is truly a master of her craft. You might know her work with the brilliant director Mike Leigh. She starred in some of his best movies like Secrets & Lies,
E-40, Bay Area rap legend from 2019-07-30T07:01:49
When it comes to hip-hop from the Bay Area, E-40 is quite possibly the greatest of all time. His distinctiveness has kept him relevant for three decades now, from mob music in the 1990's to hyphy s...
ListenFilmmaker Aviva Kempner from 2019-07-26T07:24:48
Baseball week at Bullseye continues with filmmaker Aviva Kempner. She'll talk to us about her documentary The Spy Behind Home Plate. The film follows the life of catcher-turned-World War I...
ListenBen Lindbergh and Travis Sawchik, authors of 'The MVP Machine' from 2019-07-23T07:00:55
It's baseball week here at Bullseye and best-selling authors Ben Lindbergh and Travis Sawchik are stepping up to the plate. They're the writers behind the book, The MVP Machine: How Baseball's ...
ListenChuck Klosterman from 2019-07-21T07:00:59
Chuck Klosterman has written tomes of the written word for GQ, ESPN, The Washington Post, Esquire, The Guardian, and plenty more. In 2014, he joined us to talk about I Wear the Black Hat, ...
ListenAuthor and journalist Jeff Chang from 2019-07-19T05:43:31
Jeff Chang is a journalist and music critic with an emphasis on hip-hop music and culture. His work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Village Voice, the San Francisco Bay Guardia...
ListenComic and actor J.B. Smoove from 2019-07-16T07:00:14
*A heads up to listeners, this episode contains many censored expletives throughout the interview.* J.B. Smoove is without a doubt one of the funniest people we've ever had on Bullseye. He got his ...
ListenAhmed Gallab from the band Sinkane from 2019-07-12T07:00:30
Bullseye guest host Shereen Marisol Meraji, host of NPR's Code Switch, talks with the musician Ahmed Gallab. You might know Ahmed as the man behind the band Sinkane. Ahmed and Shereen discuss his l...
ListenTales of the City's Garcia from 2019-07-09T10:58:12
Guest Host Shereen Marisol Meraji, host of NPR's Code Switch, chats with actor Garcia. Garcia plays Jake Rodriguez on 'Tales of the City' on Netflix, a part-remake part-sequel to the TV miniseries ...
ListenWashington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle from 2019-07-05T08:31:35
Pitcher Sean Doolittle is the closer for the Washington Nationals, and no, it's not The Closer you're thinking about. Sean's been called one of the most interesting players in baseball. He'll talk ...
ListenEdie Falco from 2019-07-02T07:00:54
This week, we're revisiting our conversation with Emmy-award winning actress Edie Falco. She's best known for her roles in The Sopranos, Oz and Nurse Jackie. When she spoke to us ...
ListenLinda Holmes, pop culture critic and author of 'Evvie Drake Starts Over' from 2019-06-28T07:00:58
Linda Holmes is a pop culture critic and host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour. She just released her debut novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over. It's about love and loss and the choices...
ListenJoe Talbot, director of 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco' from 2019-06-25T07:00:35
Joe Talbot is the director of The Last Black Man in San Francisco. It's a beautiful film about a guy named Jimmie and his desire to reclaim a San Francisco house built by his grandfather, ...
ListenFilmmaker and actor Sara Driver from 2019-06-21T07:00:02
Director Sara Driver refined her craft during New York's indie filmmaker boom in the late 1970s-1990s. Her directorial debut came in 1981 with You are Not I, a film about a young woman who...
ListenH. Jon Benjamin from 2019-06-18T07:00:11
H. Jon Benjamin is the voice behind some of television's most beloved animated characters. He's the voice of titular character "Bob" in Fox's heartwarming sitcom Bob's Burgers. He also pla...
ListenWallace Shawn from 2019-06-14T10:18:42
Who comes to mind when you think of a character actor? Sure, there are a lot of good ones, but there's no one quite like the great Wallace Shawn. On screen, he's had over 180 credits! You've seen ...
ListenFilmmaker and writer John Waters from 2019-06-11T07:00:38
We're revisiting our conversation with John Waters! You might know him as the director and writer of classics like Pink Flamingos, Hairspray and Cry-Baby, but ev...
ListenComedian Kulap Vilaysack on her 'Origin Story' from 2019-06-06T16:32:01
Kulap Vilaysack is an actor, comedian, showrunner, and director. She just directed her first feature length film, Origin Story, about her family's journey to the U.S. and finding her biolo...
ListenGame of Thrones' John Bradley from 2019-06-04T06:00:10
We're back with John Bradley who played Samwell Tarly on a tiny little show called Game of Thrones for eight seasons. The HBO program recently had its series finale which was the network's...
ListenKathe Kollwitz, a founding member of feminist art collective The Guerilla Girls from 2019-05-31T10:26:28
If you go to an art museum: contemporary, encyclopedic, local... odds are most of the art displayed was made by white men. Even if you leave out the renaissance painters and the Dutch Masters. It's...
ListenVeep's Timothy Simons looks back on seven years of Jonah Ryan from 2019-05-28T12:00:45
Veep is a show full of despised, incompetent and unlikable characters. And is there anyone less likable, more incompetent than Jonah Ryan? Played by Timothy Simons, the tall, pett...
ListenThe Last Poets from 2019-05-24T05:00:18
The Last Poets are a groundbreaking collective with a sound that merges spoken word with jazz and hip hop. They came on the scene in the late sixties with a message of unity, social justice, and em...
ListenTuca&Bertie Creator Lisa Hanawalt from 2019-05-21T11:36:15
Lisa Hanawalt is a cartoonist, writer, and author of four brilliant books, including Hot Dog Taste Test, My Dirty Dumb Eyes and her latest book, Coyote Dog Girl. You may ...
ListenThe Tick creator Ben Edlund from 2019-05-17T13:17:53
The Tick is one of the strangest, most compelling superheroes ever. Creator Ben Edlund has lived with the character for over 30 years now. The Tick has been a comic book series, an animate...
ListenSaturday Night Live's Paula Pell from 2019-05-14T05:00:18
So many of the sketches Paula Pell has written for Saturday Night Live are stone-cold classics. There's the Culps, Ana Gasteyer and Will Ferrell's bizarre pop music duo. The Spartan Cheerl...
ListenDavid Crosby from 2019-05-10T05:00:07
Bullseye takes a look back at our conversation with folk rock legend David Crosby. His work paved the way for the folk rock movement. He was a founding member of The Byrds and performed at Woodstoc...
ListenWanda Sykes from 2019-05-07T09:36:57
This week, a favorite from the archives: Jesse's conversation with world-class comedian Wanda Sykes. She's a legend in the comedy world and her ability to tackle pop culture and the political spect...
ListenCartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty on "MacDoodle Street" and more from 2019-05-03T10:51:20
We're thrilled to share our conversation with cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty. We're huge fans of his children's book – "Who Needs Donuts?" Mark's wonderfully illustrated book tells the story of a kid...
ListenA.P. Bio creator Mike O'Brien from 2019-04-30T15:17:40
Have you seen "A.P. Bio?" It's one of the funniest network sitcoms out these days and its latest second season is going strong on NBC. The show tells the story of a disgraced Harvard Philosophy pro...
ListenOpen Mike Eagle from 2019-04-26T05:00
This week: the great Open Mike Eagle! He's a rapper and TV host: Alongside Baron Vaughn, Mike co-stars in a new Comedy Central show called "The New Negroes". It's sort of a variety show - combini...
ListenLaurie Metcalf from 2019-04-23T05:00
Jesse talks with one of the greats: Laurie Metcalf. You definitely know Laurie from from Roseanne. For 9 years she played Jackie, on the hit TV show. She's now starring in The Conners, the new Spin...
ListenWas 1999 the Best Movie Year Ever? from 2019-04-19T05:00
Brian Raftery writes for GQ, Wired and Rolling Stone, among others. He just wrote a really interesting book. He called it "Best Movie Year Ever" and in the book's 300 pages, Brian makes the case th...
ListenAvantdale Bowling Club from 2019-04-16T14:49:59
What follows is one of our favorite interviews we've recorded this year. Seriously. It's with an artist you probably haven't heard of. His name's Tom Scott. He's from New Zealand. He's been a rappe...
ListenMike Leigh from 2019-04-08T16:59:07
This week, Jesse talks with the director Mike Leigh. He isn't that well known. He's never made a blockbuster. He's been nominated for seven Academy Awards and hasn't won any. He doesn't work with s...
ListenApollo 11 Director Todd Douglas Miller from 2019-04-05T05:00
Todd Douglas Miller directed Apollo 11, the new documentary. It compiles thousands of hours of footage from the moon landing into one brilliant, compelling narrative feature. There's no narration. ...
ListenPavement's Stephen Malkmus on the song that changed his life from 2019-03-28T13:48:52
Every now and then, we bring you a special segment called The Song that Changed My Life - it's a chance for musicians we love to dish on the song that made them who they are today. This time: Steph...
ListenPEN15's Maya Erskine&Anna Konkle from 2019-03-26T12:21:14
Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle created an star in the brilliant new show PEN15, on Hulu. It's show about middle school. Or, I guess this is more accurate: it's about middle school you might have actu...
ListenNorsemen creators Jon Iver Helgaker and Jonas Torgersen from 2019-03-22T11:49:12
A heads up, first: There's some talk about sexual assault in this conversation. Nothing graphic, just some discussion of the use of it in comedy, in the abstract. If you're sensitive to these kind...
ListenJohn Turturro from 2019-03-19T07:00
John Turturro's an acting legend. Lots of directors have actors they like to work with. Turturro's a favorite of both Spike Lee and the Coen Brothers. Starting from "Do The Right Thing," he's appea...
ListenComic and Daily Show Correspondent Roy Wood Jr. from 2019-03-15T07:00
Another favorite from the Bullseye archives this week. This time: Roy Wood Jr.! He's a comedian. You've probably seen him as a correspondent on "The Daily Show." He's done comedy pretty much his en...
ListenBill Hader on Barry, Saturday Night Live and more from 2019-03-12T07:00
We're replying some favorites from the Bullseye archives this week! Today, we're excited to bring you Bill Hader. You know him from his time on Saturday Night Live. He was kind of an impressions gu...
ListenJena Friedman, comedian&host of Adult Swim's Soft Focus from 2019-03-08T07:00
WARNING: This episode contains some discussion of difficult topics. We cover sexual assault, miscarriage, violence against women and more. If you're sensitive to these kinds of topics, we figured w...
ListenActor Stephen Root on Barry, Office Space and more from 2019-03-05T07:00
Has Stphen Root, the actor, had a million parts? It's not a million, right? Ok. It's 236. Still: wow! Root is is the kind of character actor that can take even the most basic, dreary TV show or mov...
ListenBonus: Katie Nguyen&Roseblood Live! from 2019-03-03T07:00
Two very special bonus tidbits for you this week - live comedy and music from Bullseye's recent show at the Listen Up Festival in Portland Oregon. You'll hear comedy from the great Katie Nguyen - w...
ListenSimpsons writer, Fast food reviewer Bill Oakley from 2019-03-01T11:32:24
Aurora Borealis! In your kitchen! May I see it? It's a very special Bullseye with Bill Oakley, the veteran TV writer. He worked on Futurama, Portlandia, and some of the greatest Simpsons episode of...
ListenSleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker&Filmmaker Lance Bangs from 2019-02-26T07:00
Bullseye is a show about the creative process. And how artists' lives affect the work they make: their loved ones, friends and family, too. But what about when two artists - two genuine creative ge...
ListenOscar nominated filmmaker Nicole Holofcener from 2019-02-22T07:00
Filmmaker Nicole Holofcener, one of our favorites, is up for an Academy-Award nomination. It's for the adapted screenplay. and won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for...
ListenDirector Debra Granik of "Leave No Trace" and "Winter's Bone" from 2019-02-19T13:43:13
Happy Tuesday! This time, we're listening back to our 2018 conversation with filmmaker Debra Granik. In 2010, she wrote and directed "Winter's Bone," the acclaimed drama that launched Jennifer Lawr...
ListenArtist Barbara Kruger from 2019-02-15T07:00
Dream interview alert! Today: Jesse talks with Barbara Kruger. Kruger is a fascinating and profoundly influential artist. She works in big, bold text usually in white font over ribbons of red. The...
ListenComposer and Producer Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther, Childish Gambino) from 2019-02-14T07:00
Every now and then we like bring you a segment we call to the Song That Changed My Life. It's a chance to find out what makes some of our favorite musicians the person they are today. Stepping up t...
ListenAdam McKay on Vice, Second City and more from 2019-02-12T07:00
Adam McKay has had a pretty eclectic career. He started in sketch comedy first as a founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, then as a writer on Saturday Night Live. He studied at Second City, too,...
ListenKiller Mike on his new show Trigger Warning, Run the Jewels and more from 2019-02-08T07:00
Ladies and germs... Killer Mike! It's been more than a decade since Killer Mike joined us on Bullseye. These days, he's busier than ever. Along with El-P, he's one-half of Grammy nominated duo Run ...
ListenJohn David Washington of "BlacKkKlansman" and "Ballers" from 2019-02-05T07:00
Jesse talks with John David Washington, star of the critically acclaimed film BlacKkKlansman, directed by Spike Lee. Before John David Washington was an actor, he was lacing up the pads every week ...
ListenTituss Burgess of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" from 2019-02-01T12:50:30
Jesse talks with Tituss Burgess, actor from "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," "30 Rock" and more. On UKS, Tituss plays a struggling, needy and desperate Broadway actor. He's transparently conniving and ...
ListenCarol Kane from "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" from 2019-01-29T07:00
Jesse talks with legendary character actress Carol Kane about the last season of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and her 45-year career in the biz. Carol started acting in 1971 and pretty quickly lande...
ListenJez Butterworth from 2019-01-25T07:00
Jez Butterworth is a veteran of both stage and screen, he's written about a dozen films along with his seven plays. You can see the wisdom that only experience can bring in action during "The Ferry...
ListenTony Shalhoub of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and more from 2019-01-22T18:04:54
If you're in Hollywood, the stereotype goes that you're either a character actor or a *star*. A character actor shows up in a couple scenes for about five minutes, and, even in that small moment, t...
ListenBrooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz from 2019-01-18T07:00
A warning about this episode, which originally aired in 2017: the second half of this interview contains some honest and frank talk about sexual assault. Stephanie Beatriz stars in Brooklyn Nine Ni...
ListenElvis Costello from 2019-01-15T07:00
We've got a favorite from the Bullseye archives to kick off the week: Elvis Costello. Costello grew up surrounded by music. His mother ran the record section of Selfridges, and his father was an ac...
ListenKaryn Kusama, Director of "Destroyer" from 2019-01-11T07:00
Jesse talks to Karyn Kusama, one of the most unique voices in film right now. She just directed the new film "Destroyer," it's a dark crime drama, told in mostly flashbacks. Karyn discusses why it'...
ListenChris and Bridey Elliott on "Clara's Ghost" from 2019-01-08T07:00
Chris and Bridey Elliott are father and daughter. Chris is, of course, Chris Elliott. The guy who starred in Cabin Boy and Something About Mary. Who's currently a regular on the TV show Schitt's Cr...
ListenHasan Minhaj&Sharon Horgan from 2018-12-31T14:49:44
Happy near year! Two favorites from the Bullseye archives this week. First up: Hasan Minhaj, from 2016. He'll talk about his work as a standup and as a correspondent on the Daily Show. Plus: what i...
ListenEnd of year stand-up comedy special 2018! from 2018-12-24T19:17:36
The Bullseye team has taken on the terrible task of finding the best of the best comedy albums and bringing them to you in a nice little end of year package. Our list includes industry veterans, ne...
ListenBullseye Holiday Specatcular! Monkees, McElroys and more! from 2018-12-17T17:30:43
Get ready for a bonanza of holiday cheer from Bullseye this week! Micky Dolenz of The Monkees taking about the band's new album "Christmas Party." The group recorded it with a cavalcade of hit-make...
ListenJason Mitchell&Karina Longworth from 2018-12-10T16:08:40
We're kicking things off with the brilliant and lively Jason Mitchell this week! Jason's an actor - a really great one. He's been in a lot of acclaimed movies and TV shows. In the acclaimed 2017 mo...
ListenRemembering Ricky Jay from 2018-12-03T19:50:45
Ricky Jay died last month. He was 72. Ricky was a writer. And an actor. And a magician. One of the greatest sleight of hand performers ever, actually. He could throw a playing card almost 200 ft at...
ListenBilly Eichner&Ali Wong from 2018-11-26T17:57:16
This week we're pulling two favorites out of the Bullseye archives. First on the docket: Billy Eichner! He's an actor and comic and host of the hit comedy game show Billy on the Street - where he a...
ListenTim Blake Nelson&Mary Randolph Carter from 2018-11-19T17:58:33
Tim Blake Nelson is a master of his craft: a character actor with over 80 credits to his name. Roles in films as diverse as The Incredible Hulk, Minority Report and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the ...
ListenMaura Tierney&Michael Kupperman from 2018-11-13T15:10:39
First up this week: Maura Tierney! You know her from her time on the hit drama ER - she played Abby. She's currently on the Showtime series The Affair, as well. And, here's a personal favorite of o...
ListenKamasi Washington&Simon Rich from 2018-11-05T18:11:45
This week, we're dedicating almost an entire episode to one of our favorite musicians: Kamasi Washington! Kamasi is a saxophonist and composer. In the studio, he's played sax and arranged for hitma...
ListenSteven Yeun&Sawbones from 2018-10-29T19:25:46
First up this week: Steven Yeun! Fans of The Walking Dead know and love Steven for his time on the show as the beloved Glenn Rhee. Lately, though, he's taken on some even more thrilling roles. Last...
ListenEric Idle&Blood Orange's Dev Hynes from 2018-10-22T20:30:17
Two brilliant Brits on this week's Bullseye! First up this week, a conversation with comedy pioneer and Monty Python founding member Eric Idle! Eric's entered a reflective moment in his career now ...
ListenSusan Orlean&Gregory Porter from 2018-10-15T16:09:26
First up this week, a guest we're always thrilled to welcome: Susan Orlean! One of the greatest writers around. You might know her from Saturday Night, Rin Tin Tin or the Orchid Thief - the book th...
ListenSarah Jessica Parker&Chris Gethard from 2018-10-08T14:25:42
Two favorites from the Bullseye archives this week. First up: Sarah Jessica Parker, from 2016. A fascinating, probing interview that covers her time on Divorce, Sex and the City, LA Story, even Squ...
ListenTenacious D&José James from 2018-10-01T16:38:05
So, y'all: Tenacious D. Tenacious D! We spend 40 minutes with Tenacious D this week. We talk with Jack Black and Kyle Glass about the band's early days in clubs and making quick cameos in films. We...
ListenSwamp Dogg&Joel Kim Booster from 2018-09-24T19:33:17
It's a rare honor for a guest to be on Bullseye three times, but Swamp Dogg deserves it. He's a psychedelic soul singer with a career that's now spanned six decades. He's been singing soul and R&B ...
ListenNicole Holofcener&Lodge 49 from 2018-09-18T00:19:34
This week, we're thrilled to welcome Nicole Holofcener back on the show - probably one of the most underrated filmmakers around. Her movies are quiet, sort of understated. The protagonists are comp...
ListenBoz Scaggs and Maeve Higgins from 2018-09-04T13:38:07
This week: Boz Scaggs. The one and only! The hitmaker behind "Lido Shuffle" and "Lowdown" and so much more talks with Jesse about his more than five decade career in music. Lately, like a lot of ro...
ListenGuy Branum&Emily Lordi from 2018-08-27T18:38:52
A favorite from the Bullseye archives this week. First up: Comedian, writer, and podcast host Guy Branum recently wrote a book called "My Life as a Goddess: A Memoir through (Un)Popular Culture." ...
ListenW Kamau Bell&Mike Pesca from 2018-08-20T16:34:28
This week, we've got another Emmy-nominated guest - W.Kamau Bell! He's known for his stand-up comedy. But he might be even more beloved for the television shows he's hosted. "Totally Biased with W...
ListenMegan Mullally&Tracee Ellis Ross from 2018-08-13T16:24:23
It's Emmy season! Bullseye brings you two talented, fascinating Emmy nominees this week. First up: Megan Mullally! One of the best in the game. Like, maybe you're a fan of Parks and Recreation. She...
ListenJonathan Gold&Beth Ditto from 2018-08-06T18:05
This week, we'll remember Jonathan Gold by revisiting our conversation with him. Jonathan's work in food criticism was legendary. In 2007, his work earned him a Pulitzer. To this date, he's still t...
ListenRandy Newman from 2018-07-30T15:49:08
"Who is your dream interview?" you might ask Jesse Thorn, or another public radio host. And for Bullseye, here is your answer: Randy Newman! Randy's career spans over half a century. He's written...
ListenDebra Granik&Johan Miranda from 2018-07-23T16:14:18
This week, we want to introduce you to a new comic: Johan Miranda. He lives in Los Angeles, was raised in San Francisco. When he was three years old, he and his parents traveled to the US on a tou...
ListenBo Burnham and Won't You Be My Neighbor's Morgan Neville from 2018-07-16T19:21:01
This week, we've got April Wolfe holding things down in the host chair. April is a film critic and panelist on the Maximum Fun podcast Who Shot Ya. She also hosts her own show here at MaxFun - it's...
ListenHeat Rocks Special! Jay Smooth, Meshell Ndegeocello,&Vernon Reid from 2018-07-09T19:36:21
We're doing something a little different this week: you're about to hear three of our favorite interviews from Heat Rocks, one of our sister shows here at company Maximum Fun. Heat Rocks is a music...
ListenBonus! Bubble's Jordan Morris&Nick Adams from 2018-07-05T13:02:49
Hey all! Just popping in to give you a special treat this Thursday. You've probably heard about it already, but Maximum Fun - the company that makes Bullseye, Judge John Hodgman and more - just pro...
ListenGeorge Clinton&Cristela Alonzo from 2018-07-02T16:08:08
We're listening to some of our favorite interviews from Bullseyes past this week, and we've got a couple doozies. First up: the living legend, the master of funk music, Dr. Funkenstein himself: Geo...
ListenBoots Riley from 2018-06-25T16:44:19
So much of Bullseye is about what we think is great in culture today. And, for our money, one of the most compelling creative forces around is a guy named Boots Riley. For the first few decades in ...
ListenAlia Shawkat&Mackenzie Crook from 2018-06-18T17:39:49
Alia Shawkat came by the Bullseye studios and holy moly, what a brilliant, funny human being! You know her as Maeby Fünke from TV's Arrested Development, which just dropped its fifth season. She al...
ListenPamela Adlon&James Acaster from 2018-06-12T16:34:38
The talents of Pamela Adlon are many. First, she's an incredible voice actress who's worked on literally dozens of shows. You probably know her best as Bobby from King of the Hill, though, where sh...
ListenMetta World Peace&Cut Chemist from 2018-06-04T16:29:19
This week, we've got a real treat for you: Metta World Peace! Even for a former NBA All Star and Champion, Metta has a big personality. When he played he had a reputation for hard defense and an un...
ListenH. Jon Benjamin&Sara Driver from 2018-05-29T15:05:35
Fans of Bob's Burgers, Archer, Home Movies and Dr. Katz, rejoice! Jesse's talking with the incomparable H. Jon Benjamin this week. With lead roles in some of the most popular comedies of all time, ...
ListenGeena Davis&Jack Handey from 2018-05-21T16:53:51
For over a decade, actress Geena Davis has been spearheading an institute that gathers the numbers on gender balance on-screen. On this week's episode, she shares her fascinating take on what they ...
ListenRobert Smigel&Gillian Jacobs from 2018-05-14T20:11:16
This week, writer and director Robert Smigel breaks down what really happened when he was showrunning "The Dana Carvey" show. Plus, he'll talk about so much more including his time on SNL, and his ...
ListenNeko Case&Thao Nguyen from 2018-05-07T16:52:10
This week, two great musician interviews from the Bullseye archives. First up: Neko Case. It's hard to think of a singer/songwriter more beloved in the alt country / indie rock world Case inhabits....
ListenRoy Wood Jr.&Peter Serafinowicz from 2018-04-30T20:04:46
This week, we're talking with two *very* funny people. First: Roy Wood Jr. Roy's a correspondent on the Daily Show these days, but the road he took to get there is fascinating. Roy produced, wrote ...
ListenSpecial: The Wire! from 2018-04-23T21:08:08
Don't sleep on this one. It's a celebration of one of the best shows ever: The Wire! First, you'll hear a vintage Bullseye interview (recorded live to tape in the apartment back in '08) with two ...
ListenEdie Falco and Hunter Pence from 2018-04-16T19:25:59
Emmy Award winning actress Edie Falco and San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence are our guests on this week's show. Edie Falco is a brilliant, charming person. She's best known for her roles...
ListenEugene Levy, Kay Cannon&Alexander Payne from 2018-04-09T18:21:11
Comedy nerds, rejoice! This week Jesse talks with Eugene Levy - the SCTV vet, co-creator of great Christopher Guest movies and American Pie star. Levy just wrapped up season 4 of his terrific CBC s...
ListenAndrew W.K.&Bill Hader from 2018-04-02T19:06:51
This week, two Max Fun favs. First up: Andrew W.K.! He just released a new album: You're Not Alone. It's his first in almost a decade. You're Not Alone has that same classic Andrew W.K. of inspirat...
ListenPadma Lakshmi&Laurie Kilmartin from 2018-03-26T18:43:04
Two more classics from the Bullseye archives, y'all. First: pack your knives and listen up! Padma Lakshmi, host of TV's Top Chef, stops for a chat. She literally wrote an Encyclopedia of Spices and...
ListenForest Whitaker&Armando Iannucci from 2018-03-19T16:41:40
This week, some heavy hitters! First, Forest Whitaker. He's of course the star of *countless* great movies. He's got this knack for taking huge figures from history and portraying them complex, fas...
ListenRachel Bloom&One Day at a Time from 2018-03-12T17:26:14
This week we're bringing you two of our favorite interviews from the Bullseye vault. First, Rachel Bloom, creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the hit CW musical romantic comedy. She talks abou...
ListenDavid Oyelowo&Heather Graham from 2018-03-05T17:57:54
Two great actors on this week's show! First up: David Oyelowo. He cut his teeth at the Royal Shakespeare company in London. Had smaller parts on British TV and in movies like The Help and Jack Reac...
ListenThe Breeders' Kim Deal&Raoul Peck from 2018-02-26T20:14:10
First up, a Bullseye fav: Jesse chats with Kim Deal of The Breeders about their new album "All Nerve," which drops this week. Also discussed: the Pixies' breakup, best Italian restaurants for live ...
ListenLaurie Metcalf, Kristen Anderson Lopez&Robert Lopez from 2018-02-20T17:52:51
It's an Academy Awards spectacular! First: Jesse talks with the amazing Laurie Metcalf. She's up for the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in the great Lady Bird. It's her first ever nomin...
ListenDavid Wain&Belle and Sebastian from 2018-02-12T21:18:28
First up, a favorite here around the Bullseye office: David Wain! He's a comedy legend, an actor, too. And he just directed the new Netflix film "A Futile and Stupid Gesture." He and Jesse talk abo...
Listen"Corporate"&Mimi Pond from 2018-02-05T16:59
First up: Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman. They created and star in the brand new Comedy Central show "Corporate." Look. Technically, Corporate is a workplace comedy. But it's so much darker, w...
ListenThe Big Sick, Allison Janney&Michel Gondry from 2018-01-29T17:28:53
One Bullseye episode. *Four* Oscar nominees! First up: Emily Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani. They co-wrote "The Big Sick" and you probably heard about it already - the Academy just nominated it for Bes...
ListenAnother Period&The Egyptian Lover from 2018-01-22T17:13:50
Have you heard of Another Period? It's a series on Comedy Central with a brilliant, simple premise: it's a reality show set in the gilded age - like the Keeping up with the Kardashians meets Downto...
ListenRian Johnson&The Go! Team from 2018-01-16T18:38:21
Buckle up, y'all, we've got a dynamite lineup! First off: Rian Johnson, writer and director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is discussed in extensive detail (don't say we didn't warn you). Besi...
ListenErrol Morris&Tune-Yards from 2018-01-08T20:02:08
Fresh New Year, fresh new Bullseye! This week, legendary director Errol Morris. He's the kind of filmmaker that gets shown in film school all the time. He's contributed that much to the field of do...
ListenTerry Crews, Jessica St. Clair&Lennon Parham from 2018-01-02T15:04:02
Two Bullseye favorites from the archives this week. First: Terry Crews. A linebacker from Flint Michigan, Terry was picked by the LA Rams in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft. In 1996, he played...
ListenEnd of Year Comedy Special! from 2017-12-26T14:48:54
Look, you're an NPR listener. So we probably don't need to tell you this, but it's been an intense year. 2017 was a lot of terrible and thrilling and amazing things, but it was also a banner year ...
ListenThe Bullseye Holiday Spectacular! from 2017-12-18T15:26:45
Light up the menorah, trim the tree, take a walk out in the cool/cold/wet/whatever weather and take it all in: it's the Bullseye holiday spectacular! We've got Andy Richter, Conan O'Brien's faithfu...
ListenJudd Apatow&Romesh Ranganathan from 2017-12-11T19:12:05
Judd Apatow is one of the busiest and most notable behind the scenes guys alive today. Name 10 huge critically acclaimed comedy hits off the top your head - Judd's probably worked on half of them: ...
ListenJK Simmons&Solomon Georgio from 2017-12-04T17:05:43
You know JK Simmons, right? He won an Academy Award for his role in the 2015 movie Whiplash. He's that Insurance guy in those ads. He played J Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman movies. Dude puts in wo...
ListenMargaret Cho&Lisa Hanawalt from 2017-11-27T16:09:38
We've got a couple of our favorite recent Bullseye interviews this week, first up: Margaret Cho, from last year. She's made a career of searing and revealing comedy. Lately she's been performing on...
ListenGreta Gerwig&Pixar's Lee Unkrich from 2017-11-20T19:19:37
First up this week, the one and only Greta Gerwig! You probably know her as an actor - she starred in Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha and a bunch of other indies. She's also been in Oscar contenders lik...
ListenBonus! Heat Rocks: Anil Dash on Prince's 1999 from 2017-11-17T19:09:30
Hey Bullseye fans! We have a special bonus treat for y'all today. We're gonna give you a look at Heat Rocks, the brand new music podcast here at Maximum Fun. It's an interview show that dissects cl...
ListenAmy Sedaris&Paul Reiser from 2017-11-13T17:49:23
Two legends this week: first up, Amy Sedaris. Amy's made a career playing characters - and we say this with absolutely *zero* shade intended - people who are kind of grotesque and weird. The weirde...
ListenJohn Hodgman&Tig Notaro from 2017-11-06T18:28:08
Look, you probably know who John Hodgman is already. He's been on the Daily Show, This American Life, Adventure Time, way more stuff. Here at Maximum Fun he's the judge on the Judge John Hodgman Po...
ListenStephanie Beatriz&Griffin Dunne from 2017-10-30T16:54:02
For five seasons, Stephanie Beatriz has starred on the hit fox show Brooklyn Nine Nine. She plays Detective Rosa Diaz, easily the toughest cop in the precinct - she's brave, she's serious, she ride...
ListenHalloween Special with Elvira, Andy Daly&more! from 2017-10-23T15:38:07
Good October to you, boys and ghouls! It's a very special Halloween Spooktacular edition of Bullseye! First we have Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She'll talk ...
ListenGilbert Gottfried and Maggie Betts from 2017-10-16T19:23:46
You know Gilbert Gottfried, right? That comedian with the crazy loud voice who tells gross, sometimes kind of tasteless jokes. He was the voice of the Aflac duck at one point, too. There's really t...
ListenAmy Ryan&Shea Serrano from 2017-10-10T15:30:26
First up: Amy Ryan. You've seen her as Beadie Russel on The Wire, in The Office, Gone Baby Gone, a bunch more. She's starring in the new movie Abundant Acreage Available too. She'll talk with us ab...
ListenCarl Reiner&Kate and Laura Mulleavy from 2017-10-02T19:52:18
This week's Bullseye takes you inside the home of the one and only Carl Reiner. A true legend in comedy - Reiner's been in the game since World War Two. Alongside Sid Caesar, he performed on the pi...
ListenOpen Mike Eagle&Paula Poundstone from 2017-09-25T19:01:12
A dynamite pairing this week! First, Rapper Open Mike Eagle talks about growing up in Chicago, his slow and steady rise to success and his undying love for professional wrestling. Then, Paula Pound...
ListenJudy Greer&Ice-T from 2017-09-18T16:08:56
Two Bullseye classics this week. First up: Judy Greer. You've seen her as Kitty Sanchez in Arrested Development, as Cheryl Tunt on Archer, in Jurassic World, a bunch more. She's one of the most suc...
ListenThe Pointer Sisters&Bootsy Collins from 2017-09-11T15:13:51
Two Bullseye classics this week! First up: Jesse's 2014 conversation with The Pointer Sisters, one of the biggest R&B groups ever, about their rise to stardom and struggles to stay together as a fa...
ListenTim Gunn&Jonathan Coulton from 2017-09-05T14:25:17
Tim Gunn of Project Runway and more talks fashion, surviving trauma and more. Even some hot couture takes on the American political landscape! Then, singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton talks about h...
ListenWallace Shawn, Nick Lowe&Jay Baruchel from 2017-08-28T19:11
Joining us this week is actor Wallace Shawn, whose many film credits include roles in The Princess Bride, the Toy Story films, and My Dinner with Andre. An accomplished playwright and author, Walla...
ListenEllie Kemper&Flying Lotus from 2017-08-21T15:32:38
This week, two of our favorite Bullseye guests. First up: Ellie Kemper, star of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. If you haven't seen it, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has a pretty unusual premise. A woman em...
ListenAlfred Molina&Louie Anderson from 2017-08-14T11:34:42
This week, two Emmy nominated heavy hitters. First up: Alfred Molina. Talk about auspicious starts: Alfred Molina's first American film role was as the "Throw me the idol, I'll throw you the whip" ...
ListenAni DiFranco&Game of Thrones' Aidan Gillen from 2017-08-07T20:09:25
This week Jesse talks with the great singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco about her new album Binary, and how it's changed her writing process. What you might not know is that she also jammed with Prince...
ListenLily Tomlin&Rick Moranis from 2017-07-31T20:01:15
[r] This week, two of Bullseye's greatest hits. First up: Rick Moranis. At one point, he was a movie star: Strange Brew, Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and then - he quit. We'll...
ListenDolly Parton&Steve Coogan from 2017-07-24T20:02:38
[r] This week, we've got two of Bullseye's greatest hits: First up, the one and only Dolly Parton! The legend of stage and song talks with Jesse about her impoverished childhood, how she's dealt wi...
ListenKumail Nanjiani, Emily Gordon&Terrace Martin from 2017-07-17T18:46:29
"The Big Sick" has been out in theaters for a while, and already it's getting a lot of buzz. Critics rated it 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley) and Emily Gordon are mar...
ListenBonus: Tavi Gevinson from 2017-07-14T13:35:38
We've got a special bonus Bullseye for you this week! Tavi Gevinson, editor of Rookie Magazine, actress, podcast host and much more. Jesse interview Tavi in front of a live audience at this year's ...
ListenVince Staples&The Trailer Park Boys from 2017-07-10T16:50:25
[r] This week, we're bringing you a couple of Jesse's favorite past interviews. First up: Vince Staples! The Long Beach rapper is a legend nowadays, with his two critically acclaimed records Summer...
ListenBeth Ditto&Ernest Dickerson from 2017-07-03T15:06:41
Hey y'all! This week, we have Beth Ditto joining us. The former lead singer with Gossip, talks about growing up gay and punk rock in Searcy, Arkansas, and paying a dollar for her first kiss with a ...
ListenA$AP Ferg&Dr. Katz from 2017-06-26T15:49:51
What an episode this week! We have New York's very own A$AP Ferg in the house. He and Jesse talk about his love for Madonna, how going to an arts high school changed his life and how being a part o...
ListenKatie Couric, Marc Maron&Audie Cornish from 2017-06-19T20:40:07
This week, we're giving you a sneak peek into The Turnaround, Jesse's new podcast. The Turnaround brings you interviews with some of the best interviewers out there. You'll hear why Marc Maron can'...
ListenBig Boi&Catherine O'Hara from 2017-06-12T17:58:19
[r] Big Boi's sold more than 50 millions records as a solo artist and as half of Outkast, maybe the greatest hip hop group of all time. With their 1994 debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Big Bo...
ListenKathryn Hahn&Jason Zinoman from 2017-06-05T20:08:25
This week, Jesse talks with Kathryn Hahn. She's starring in the new Amazon series I Love Dick, which also features Kevin Bacon and Griffin Dunne. The show was created by Jill Soloway, a writer Hahn...
ListenCarol Kane from 2017-05-29T13:49:13
This week, Jesse sits down with actor Carol Kane. They talk about her career that spans 45 years and her newest project - "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," which is now in its 3rd season on Netflix. We ...
ListenTerry Crews&Amber Tamblyn from 2017-05-22T17:49:43
As a linebacker from Flint Michigan, Terry Crews was picked by the LA Rams in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft. In 1996, he played his last season ever for the Eagles. Then, he took up acting -...
ListenJohn Waters&Andy Kindler from 2017-05-15T15:25
We got John Waters in the studio (he wore a beautiful Commes de Garcon shirt, btw). John has a new book out, it's a transcript of a commencement speech he gave to RISD students in 2015. Jesse talks...
ListenMoshe Kasher, Felicia Day&Brother Ali from 2017-05-08T19:23:01
This week, Jesse talks with standup and author Moshe Kasher about his new TV show: Problematic. Like a lot of shows nowadays it's got a comedian taking on issues of the day, interviews with newsmak...
ListenChris Gethard, George Saunders,&DJ Jazzy Jeff from 2017-05-01T17:45:38
Jesse talks about life and death with George Saunders, the brilliant author of the new novel Lincoln in the Bardo. But first, Chris Gethard comes by. He hosts Fusion's The Chris Gethard show and st...
ListenWerner Herzog&Mount Eerie's Phil Elverum from 2017-04-24T16:19:19
This week's Bullseye has a lot of heavy stuff. First up: Phil Elverum. Elverum's career dates back over 20 years, first as the Microphones and later Mt. Eerie. He's produced ambitious, beautiful re...
ListenGuy Branum from 2017-04-10T18:22
Guy Branum, comic and beloved host of MaxFun's own Pop Rocket is on TV now! He's hosting the brand new TV series Talk Show the Game Show on TruTV. Guy talks with Jesse about growing up gay in a rur...
ListenBaseball Special with Tabitha Soren&Sean Doolittle from 2017-04-03T18:09
Guess what! With opening day this week, Bullseye is bringing you its first ever Baseball special! Jesse talks with Oakland A's relief pitcher Sean Doolittle about recovering from injuries, getting ...
ListenMy Brother, My Brother and Me&Gina Prince-Bythewood from 2017-03-27T18:30:50
This week, NPR's Linda Holmes sits in for Jesse Thorn. We kick things off with Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. The three brothers have a brand new TV show called My Brother, My Brother and Me b...
ListenPaul Shaffer, Javaka Steptoe&Louis Theroux from 2017-03-20T18:49:13
Jesse talks with Paul Shaffer, David Letterman's former bandleader and the co-writer of the disco smash "It's Raining Men." They'll talk about his work on SNL and his role in co-founding the Blue B...
ListenSam Richardson&Syd of The Internet from 2017-03-13T20:04
This week, comic Wyatt Cenac sits in for Jesse Thorn, and it's a hell of a lineup: Sam Richardson of HBO's Veep stops by to talk about his new Comedy Central show Detroiters. Plus, Syd tha Kyd of t...
ListenDesus&Mero, Walter Murch from 2017-02-27T21:06
Guest host Ray Suarez talks with Desus Nice and The Kid Mero - the Twitter legends and hosts of the Bodega Boys podcast have a new show on Viceland. Plus, we go deep into the world of science and f...
ListenMichael K Williams&Zach Galifianakis from 2017-02-20T11:02:02
[r] Zach Galifianakis talks about fame, unlikable characters and his FX series, Baskets, now in its second season. Michael K. Williams reminisces on his dance career, playing Omar on The Wire and h...
ListenPete Holmes&Mike Mills from 2017-02-13T19:45:36
Jesse talks with with Pete Holmes - the star of the new HBO show Crashing. Then, Mike Mills, writer and director of the Oscar nominated 20th Century Women.
ListenCristela Alonzo&Stretch Armstrong from 2017-02-06T18:17:45
Jesse talks with Cristela Alonzo. She starred in the ABC show Cristela, and now she's got a great new stand up special on Netflix called Lower Classy. Plus, Stretch Armstrong, co-host of the legend...
ListenOne Day at a Time&Todd Mayfield from 2017-01-30T20:23
Writers Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce talk about how the two teamed up with Norman Lear to make a brand new reboot of Lear's classic sitcom One Day at a Time. Plus, Todd Mayfield, Curtis M...
ListenLaurie Kilmartin and Throwing Shade from 2017-01-23T18:55
Laurie Kilmartin is a standup, she also writes for Conan O'Brien. On her new special, 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad, she talks about the loss of her father in a totally honest, touching, and funny way...
ListenCorin Tucker&Tom Arnold from 2017-01-17T14:28:05
[r] Jesse sits down with guitarist and singer Corin Tucker to talk about Sleater-Kinney, anxiety dreams, and having to work a second job while on tour. He'll also talk to to the veteran comic and a...
ListenBullseye's Judge John Hodgman Special from 2017-01-10T16:50:17
This week, we are delighted to bring you a special presentation of The Judge John Hodgman Podcast. Today, you'll hear two Judge John Hodgman cases. Our first case is Grand Theft Risotto. Mike brin...
ListenEnd of year best comedy special from 2016-12-26T14:03:43
Wrap up 2016 with a much needed laugh - it's Bullseye's proudest annual tradition - the End of Year Best Comedy Special. You'll hear some of the year's best standup: Maria Bamford, W. Kamau Bell, C...
ListenHoliday Special with Jane Lynch and Andy Richter from 2016-12-19T17:24:16
On a brand new Bullseye Holiday special, Jesse talks with Andy Richter about how to love Christmas after getting burned by it. Plus, actress Jane Lynch stops by to share her new album of swingin' C...
ListenPedro Almodovar and Sleigh Bells from 2016-12-12T18:38:48
Jesse talks to Pedro Almodóvar, the Spanish filmmaker about Julieta, his newest film. Plus, Alexis Krauss from the band Sleigh Bells on the song that changed her life and the hypnotic, enchanting p...
ListenJohn Cale&TJ and Dave from 2016-12-06T02:11:51
Jesse talks with John Cale, the musician and producer, about his time in the Velvet Underground, producing artists like the Stooges and Patti Smith, and his latest record. Plus, comic improv legend...
ListenSarah Jessica Parker&Dwayne Kennedy from 2016-11-28T18:35:12
Jesse talks with Sarah Jessica Parker about her long, dynamic career, including her star roles in Sex and the City and the new HBO series Divorce. Plus, comedy from the legendary Dwayne Kennedy and...
ListenPadma Lakshmi&Colin Quinn from 2016-11-21T18:58:23
Jesse talks to Colin Quinn about his time on Saturday Night Live and his new Netflix special, New York Story. Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef, model and author takes us deep into the world of spice...
ListenJemaine Clement&Jonathan Ames from 2016-11-14T19:20:44
Comedian Jemaine Clement tells Jesse about growing up in New Zealand, being mixed race, and his time as a member of Flight of the Conchords, the hit HBO comedy duo. Then, TV writer and novelist Jon...
ListenWillem Dafoe, Paul Schrader&David Crosby from 2016-11-07T20:16:35
Actor Willem Dafoe and writer / director Paul Schrader tell Jesse about their new movie, the gritty and wild Dog Eat Dog. Then, Jesse talks with the legendary singer songwriter David Crosby, of the...
ListenPatton Oswalt&Fresh Off The Boat from 2016-10-31T20:42:27
Comedian Patton Oswalt tells Jesse about the years he spent almost completely indoors - pitching failed sketches in writers rooms, going to the movies, and standing on stage every night. Later, Ran...
ListenNorman Lear&Riz Ahmed from 2016-10-24T19:47:39
Norman Lear, the Godfather of American sitcom, tells Jesse why he decided to make All In The Family and how he drew stories from his own life and those of his writers to bring real issues to TV com...
ListenArmando Iannucci&Sharon Horgan from 2016-10-17T19:23:08
Interviews with Veep creator Armando Iannucci and the writer behind Sarah Jessica Parker's new HBO show, Sharon Horgan. Plus stand-up comedy from Josie Long and live music from Romare. Recorded liv...
ListenCameron Esposito&Rhea Butcher, Jeff Garlin from 2016-10-10T15:49:15
Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butler met at a comedy night in Chicago five years ago. Rhea was new to comedy and still had a day job. Cameron had been a working comedian for almost a decade. They hi...
ListenKaitlin Olson and Jeff Chang from 2016-10-03T19:26:12
Kaitlin Olson plays Sweet Dee on the long-running sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Dee is the only female member of "The Gang", a bunch of depraved, self-centered pals who run a bar. The G...
ListenDanny Fields&Judith Light from 2016-09-26T19:24:03
Danny Fields is a music manager and publicist who was instrumental in signing and promoting some of the biggest names in Punk Rock history. This week, he and Jesse discuss his decision to leave the...
ListenHasan Minhaj and Margaret Wappler from 2016-09-19T19:56:26
This week, Jesse sits down with Hasan Minhaj, comedian and Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. They discuss stand up comedy in other countries, the current political climate i...
ListenSpike Lee&High Maintenance from 2016-09-12T19:54:01
Jesse sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. He tells us about how addiction is made explicit in his movie, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, how he really feels about Larry Bird and about his own ve...
ListenFelicity Huffman&Anthony Michael Hall from 2016-09-05T19:46:36
While actor Felicity Huffman is probably best known for her tenure as Lynette Scavo in Desperate Housewives, she has played many beloved characters throughout her career as an actor. From Dana Whit...
ListenNick Kroll and John Mulaney&Airto Moreira from 2016-08-29T19:46:41
John Mulaney and Nick Kroll are well seasoned comedians who have made a name for themselves in many different forms of media. Jesse sits down with Mulaney and Kroll to discuss their new broadway p...
ListenSarah Paulson&Shuggie Otis from 2016-08-22T16:46:04
Actress Sarah Paulson is best known for playing numerous characters on American Horror Story and Marcia Clark on The People v. O.J Simpson. Sarah sits down with Jesse to talk about working on The P...
ListenLynda Barry&Pop Culture Happy Hour from 2016-08-15T19:24:16
Lynda Barry is a self-identified "freak", a cartoonist, a writer, and for the last couple of years, she's also been a college professor teaching interdisciplinary creativity at the University of Wi...
ListenNikki Glaser and Dave Holmes from 2016-08-08T20:36:27
Nikki Glaser is a comedian and host of the Comedy Central series Not Safe with Nikki Glaser. Nikki sits down with Jesse to talk about developing her Comedy Central show with her boyfriend, even whe...
ListenChuck Klosterman&W. Kamau Bell from 2016-08-01T19:52:09
Chuck Klosterman has written countless articles for GQ, ESPN, The Washington Post, Esquire, The Guardian and more. His new book, But What if We're Wrong, examines how the present will be perceived ...
ListenKeegan-Michael Key&Tituss Burgess from 2016-07-25T21:38:02
[r] Keegan-Michael Key talks to Jesse Thorn about creating characters for his sketch show Key and Peele. Plus, Tituss Burgess from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, tells about the time he performed live ...
ListenDanny McBride&Miroslav Vitous from 2016-07-18T21:04:23
Danny McBride is comedic writer and actor who started his career starring in the cult classic comedy, The Foot Fist Way. Although the film went to Sundance and was a modest success, McBride went ba...
ListenAparna Nancherla&Clams Casino from 2016-07-11T21:59:15
Though most people find it difficult to find anything funny about depression and anxiety, comedian Aparna Nancherla. has used her own struggles with mood disorders to inspire her comedy. A rising s...
ListenMary Roach&William Bell from 2016-07-04T22:47:51
Though she didn't earn a degree in the sciences, author Mary Roach has a knack for writing about them with insight and wit. Whether she's describing what happens to the body after death or the many...
ListenLisa Hanawalt&Wyatt Cenac from 2016-06-27T21:08:28
Jesse Thorn sits down with comic book author and the designer of Netflix's Bojack Horseman, Lisa Hanawalt. He also talks to comic Wyatt Cenac about his upcoming stand up series, Night Train.
ListenRachel Bloom&Esperanza Spalding from 2016-06-20T21:18:21
This week Jesse interviews Rachel Bloom,the star and co-creator the CW show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Also, Esperanza Spalding tells us about the song that changed her life.
ListenJohn C. Reilly&Shamir from 2016-06-13T18:44:19
[r] Jesse Thorn talks with John C. Reilly about Reilly's open-hearted and blustery comic creation, Dr. Steve Brule. Reilly shares stories from the summer of fun he had working on the movie Boogie N...
ListenRashida Jones, Ramiro Gomez&Lawrence Weschler from 2016-06-07T00:04:46
Jesse Thorn talks to Rashida Jones, from Parks and Recreation, The Office and Angie Tribeca - which just returned for its second season. Later Lawrence Weschler and Ramiro Gomez stop by the Bullsey...
ListenJoe Bataan&Ali Wong from 2016-05-30T13:47:14
Jesse Thorn talks to comedian and Fresh Off the Boat writer Ali Wong, who recorded her new comedy special Baby Cobra, while seven and a half months pregnant. He also sits down with Boogaloo legend ...
ListenMaria Bamford&Wanda Sykes from 2016-05-16T20:11:48
Maria Bamford sits down with Jesse to talk about her own experiences as a patient of various Los Angeles mental health facilities, finding love and marriage and how wanting to work less proved to b...
ListenMargaret Cho&Whit Stillman from 2016-05-09T21:54:37
Margaret Cho sits down with Jesse to talk about beginning her career during the 90s comedy boom in San Francisco, growing up in a Korean immigrant family, and how the community around her family's ...
ListenGeena Davis&Louis CK from 2016-05-02T19:34:16
Jesse Thorn talks with GeenaDavis about her acting career, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and how taking up archery changed her life. Plus multiple Emmy Award-winning comedian, Louis ...
ListenMike Judge&Sharon Horgan from 2016-04-26T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to Mike Judge, the comedy writer behind shows like Beavis and Butthead, Office Space, King of the Hill and Silicon Valley. Later he speaks with Sharon Horgan, whose show Catastrop...
ListenNick Hornby&Luis Guzmán from 2016-04-19T05:30
Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby made his name with books like High Fidelity and About A Boy. His latest novel, Funny Girl is about a British actress starring in a 1960s sitcom. Hornby talks wit...
ListenEllie Kemper&Glen Weldon from 2016-04-12T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to Ellie Kemper, star of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and discusses Batman with Pop Culture Happy Hour's Glen Weldon. Plus, Jesse on how A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg h...
ListenThao Nguyen&Lance Bangs from 2016-04-05T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to musician Thao Nguyen from the band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and to the filmmaker Lance Bangs. Plus Jesse thinks it's time you gave the band Black Sabbath another listen.
ListenBob Odenkirk&Rickey Vincent from 2016-03-29T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks to the comedian, writer, director and actor, Bob Odenkirk, plus the historian, author and DJ Rickey Vincent tells us why Parliament's Mothership Connection ended an era - and ...
ListenDick Van Dyke from 2016-03-22T05:31
Jesse Thorn talks to Dick Van Dyke, legendary star of stage and screen, memoirist and now bodybuilder. Plus pop culture critic and writer Margaret Wappler argues that Bjork's album Post deserves a ...
ListenZach Galifianakis&Michael K. Williams from 2016-03-15T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis about his new TV show Baskets, and to Michael K. Williams from Boardwalk Empire and The Wire and who can currently be seen in the new show,...
ListenRicky Jay&Bruce Boyer from 2016-03-08T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to the magician, sleight-of-hand artist and historian Ricky Jay, about his new book Matthias Buchinger: The Greatest German Living. Later he sits down with the menswear writer G. ...
ListenGillian Jacobs&Jonathan Gold from 2016-03-01T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks to Gillian Jacobs about her time starring in Community and to the restaurant critic, Jonathan Gold.
ListenJason Sudeikis, Paul F. Tompkins&Sarah Vowell from 2016-02-23T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to actor Jason Sudeikis and comedian Paul F Tompkins. Plus Sarah Vowell shares the piece of work she wishes she'd made and Jesse talks about a twenty year old SNL sketch that chan...
ListenDwayne Kennedy&Noel Fielding from 2016-02-16T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to comedians' comedian, Dwayne Kennedy and our producer Julia Smith sits down with acclaimed British comic Noel Fielding. Plus Jesse considers the unwarranted backlash to Beyonce'...
ListenTodd Glass&Raffi from 2016-02-09T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks to comedian Todd Glass, about his memoir The Todd Glass Situation and with the beloved children's performer, Raffi. Plus author Ariel Schrag talks about the novel, September G...
ListenRay Suarez&Dan Deacon from 2016-02-02T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to journalist, Ray Suarez and musician Dan Deacon, plus stand-up comedy from Phoebe Robinson. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience in NPR's Studio One in Washingt...
ListenRoger Angell&Aya Cash from 2016-01-26T05:30
Jesse talks to Aya Cash from the TV comedy show You're the Worst and to New Yorker writer and editor, Roger Angell.
ListenJoel Hodgson&Dr Robert Hicks from 2016-01-19T05:30
Jesse sits down with creator of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Joel Hodgson and is experimented upon by director of Philadelphia's Mütter Museum, Dr Robert Hicks. Plus stand-up from Hari Kondabolu a...
ListenKaitlin Olson&Jeff Chang from 2016-01-12T05:30
Kaitlin Olson plays Sweet Dee on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. She'll talk about morally broken comedy characters and whether it's a good idea to fall in love with the creator of your TV show....
ListenNeko Case&Herb Alpert from 2016-01-05T05:30
Jesse talks with singer-songwriter, Neko Case and to bandleader and record label founder, Herb Alpert.
ListenBest Comedy of 2015 Special from 2015-12-29T05:30
Our selection of the greatest comedy albums from the last year with stand-up from veterans, newcomers and even a set recorded live in the woods at MaxFunCon. Featuring: Kyle Kinane, Emily Heller, ...
ListenBarney Frank&Mission of Burma from 2015-12-22T05:30
Former congressman Barney Frank and punk band, Mission of Burma, plus comedy from Lamont Price. Recorded in front of a live audience at Oberon in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
ListenRob Halford&Ronnie Spector from 2015-12-15T05:30
Bullseye Holiday Special with Judas Priest's Rob Halford and Ronnie Spector from the Ronnettes.
ListenDavid Cross, Tavi Gevinson&Pharoahe Monch from 2015-12-08T05:30
Interviews with David Cross of Mr. Show and W/Bob & David and Tavi Gevinson of Rookie Magazine, plus comedy from Aparna Nancherla and music from Pharoahe Monch and DJ Boogie Blind. This show was re...
ListenJohn Cleese&Dee Dee Penny from 2015-12-01T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks with John Cleese of Monty Python and Dum Dum Girls founder Dee Dee Penny.
ListenLive with William H. Macy, Brian Huskey&Matt Walsh from 2015-11-24T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to William H Macy, Brian Huskey and Matt Walsh, plus comedy from Baron Vaughn and music from Chicano Batman. Recorded live at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Lo...
ListenAllison Janney&Ishmael Butler from 2015-11-17T05:30
[r] Actor Allison Janney and musician Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets and Shabazz Palaces join Jesse Thorn to talk about their work. Plus director Michel Gondry on the song that changed his life.
ListenEthan Hawke&Michaela Watkins from 2015-11-10T05:30
Jesse sits down with the actor and novelist Ethan Hawke to talk about playing a divorced dad on-screen, and being one in real life. Hawke's experiences with parenting inspired his new book Rules Fo...
ListenMargaret Atwood and Matt Braunger from 2015-11-03T05:30
Comedian Matt Braunger sits down with Jesse Thorn to talk about class clowning as a kid, why it's important to try and fail and... his teenage rap career. Plus, Guy Branum interviews Canadian autho...
ListenElvis Costello&Elizabeth Banks from 2015-10-27T05:30
Singer/songwriter Elvis Costello shares his musical influences, which include his father, an accomplished singer and performer. Plus Elizabeth Banks talks about deciding to work on the biopic Love ...
ListenBrad Bird&Ernie Isley from 2015-10-19T22:21:26
Jesse Thorn talks to director of The Iron Giant and The Incredibles, Brad Bird, and to Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers.
ListenTig Notaro&John Darnielle from 2015-10-13T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks to comedian, Tig Notaro about the worst few months of her life and how stand up helped her get through them. Later he sits down with musician and author John Darnielle, to tal...
ListenConstance Wu&Ron Nyswaner from 2015-10-06T05:30
Guest host Guy Branum talks to Constance Wu from Fresh Off the Boat and to the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter behind Philadelphia and the new movie Freeheld, Ron Nyswaner.
ListenRussell Simmons&Carl Wilson from 2015-09-29T05:30
[r] Jesse Thorn talks to co-founder of Def Jam Records, Russell Simmons about the early days of hip-hop and discovering meditation. He also sits down with music journalist Carl Wilson to talk about...
ListenBill Withers&Joe Randazzo from 2015-09-22T05:30
Jesse Thorn talks to the singer/songwriter Bill Withers, of Lean on Me and Just the Two of Us fame, about making it in the music business and then retiring from performance. Plus comedy writer Joe ...
ListenJesse Eisenberg&Brian Regan from 2015-09-15T05:30
Jesse talks to Academy Award-nominated actor and now also short fiction writer, Jesse Eisenberg about acting and writing. Eisenberg also reveals his insecurities as an artist. Plus, stand up comedi...
ListenAndy Daly&Jean Grae from 2015-09-08T05:30
[r] Jesse talks to comedian Andy Daly about his Comedy Central show Review and to rapper Jean Grae. Plus the greatest bootleg tape of all time - and it's not music.
ListenChiwetel Ejiofor&Allison Jones from 2015-09-01T05:30
Star of 12 Years a Slave and the new movie Z for Zachiarah, Chiwetel Ejiofor talks to Jesse about dealing with creative ambition and getting into a Jiu Jitsu ring with David Mamet. Later, casting d...
ListenJudge John Hodgman Special from 2014-11-11T05:30
We break format this week to bring you the Judge John Hodgman Special. Maybe you know John Hodgman from his appearances on The Daily Show, or as the PC from the Mac vs. PC ads. But did you know he'...
ListenLewis Black, Syl Johnson&Annie Hart from 2014-07-29T07:30
[r] Hear Jesse’s interview with one of comedy’s greatest grumps: Lewis Black. He didn’t become a stand-up until his mid-thirties. Find out why he left the theater for comedy and w...
ListenHari Kondabolu&Jake Kasdan from 2014-07-22T07:30
Hari Kondabolu talks about the distinct advantages and disadvantages of being a stand up comedian who's also a former social activist and organizer. Director Jake Kasdan talks about the strategy in...
ListenJudy Greer&Richard Ayoade from 2014-05-13T07:30
The reason you might not be able to place Judy Greer is because she never really plays the lead. She's come to terms with that, and she's had supporting roles in a slew of great stuff. Jesse will a...
ListenBest Comedy of 2013 Special from 2013-12-31T05:30
Take pity on our poor intern Brian. We sat him down in front of a computer with a stack of comedy CDs as high as an elephant's eye. He sifted through hours of hilarious stand-up specials and narrow...
ListenMel Brooks&Aimee Mann from 2013-12-24T05:30
[r] It's hard to imagine what American comedy would look like without Mel Brooks. Jesse talks to Brooks about about fighting in World War II (where he managed to even make a few Germans laugh), wor...
Listen2013 Holiday Special from 2013-12-17T05:30
[r] This holiday season, listen back to Jesse's interview with Ronnie Spector. As the lead singer of the Ronettes, she recorded some of the most iconic Christmas music ever made. Then later, hear J...
ListenJack Black and Bun B from 2013-12-10T05:30
Jack Black will talk to guest host Susan Orlean about which came first, the acting or the music. He'll also talk about why he'd like to work with David Lynch and why he almost didn't take the part ...
ListenHenry Bushkin Talks Johnny Carson from 2013-12-03T05:30
Who WAS Johnny Carson? Guest host Mike Pesca will talk to Henry Bushkin about just that. He was Carson's longtime lawyer and fixer. Carson even once called Bushkin his best friend. And Johnny didn'...
ListenBig Boi and Catherine O'Hara from 2013-11-26T05:30
[r] Actress Catherine O’Hara talks about her start with the Second City’s SCTV, blockbuster success with Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and her perfect encapsulation of comic absurdity in ...
ListenBrett Gurewitz and Jimmy Pardo from 2013-11-19T05:30
Guest host Jordan Morris is back to talk with Brett Gurewitz. Not only is he a founding member of Bad Religion, he also owns the juggernaut independent punk label Epitaph Records. Jordan asks Bret...
ListenTom Bissell and Greg Sestero Talk About "The Room" from 2013-11-12T05:30
Guest host Jordan Morris sits down with actor Greg Sestero and journalist Tom Bissell. In 2003, Greg co-starred in a movie called “The Room”. Its stilted dialogue, weird plot points and...
ListenBill Hader, June Diane Raphael and The Internet from 2013-11-05T05:30
Take a listen to our show taped live at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum! Bill Hader reveals some of his favorite characters that never made it onto SNL, talks about what it felt like to say good...
ListenElizabeth Gilbert, Gillian Jacobs and Fred Armisen from 2013-10-29T05:30
Elizabeth Gilbert’s new novel traces the life of a woman living in the 19th century as a botanist. Jesse will ask Elizabeth about what the reaction to ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ has meant ...
ListenNick Offerman and The Birthday Boys from 2013-10-15T05:30
Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation. Swanson is one of the most beloved characters on TV… known for his love of meat, his hatred of big government, and his healthy mustache...
ListenNicole Holofcener, Jane Espenson, Brad Bell from 2013-10-08T05:30
Nicole Holofcener has written and directed five films. The fifth, her newest is called ‘Enough Said’. It's a sweet and sharp movie starring Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late James Gandol...
ListenJunot Diaz and Carrie Fisher from 2013-10-01T05:30
Junot Diaz has a book of short stories out now in paperback. It’s called ‘This Is How You Lose Her.’ Junot’s book is new, but the protagonist Yunior isn’t. This is the...
ListenStephen Merchant, Co-creator of The Office from 2013-09-24T05:30
Stephen Merchant says he didn’t get into comedy to become popular. He did it mostly to please himself. But then, with his buddy Ricky Gervais, he made a TV show called ‘The Office&rsqu...
ListenThe Influence Of Bob And Ray With David Pollock from 2013-09-10T02:30
From Bob Newhart to George Carlin, the comedy duo Bob & Ray influenced some of the 20th century’s finest entertainers. Jesse will talk with comedy writer David Pollock about how Bob Elliot an...
ListenJon Mooallem&Elmore Leonard from 2013-09-03T05:30
When it comes to sharing the planet with other animals, you might think that we humans are just screwing it all up. Ruining everything. Hogging all the resources. But what if it’s a little mo...
ListenLewis Black&Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer from 2013-08-20T05:30
Hear Jesse’s interview with one of comedy’s greatest grumps: Lewis Black. He didn’t become a stand-up until his mid-thirties. Find out why he left the theater for comedy and why h...
ListenKumail Nanjiani&Lake Bell from 2013-08-13T05:30
First up on the show is an interview with Kumail Nanjiani. He has come a long way since we had him do stand up on our show a few years ago. He just put out his first comedy special, Beta Male. He j...
ListenFred Willard&David Gordon Green from 2013-08-06T05:30
If a director is looking for the perfect guy to play an oblivious, cocky buffoon then Fred Willard is their man. Jesse talks to Fred about his entire career, and finds out why he turned down the le...
ListenComedy group Kasper Hauser&David Rakoff from 2013-07-23T05:30
A lawyer, a writer, a psychiatrist, and a theater professor got together to write a humor book about earning your MBA on the toilet. The group is called Kasper Hauser. Rob Baedeker and James Reichm...
ListenRick Moranis and Booker T. Jones from 2013-07-16T05:30
Rick Moranis was a movie star. Strange Brew, Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Honey I Shrunk the Kids. And then he quit. We'll talk about why he doesn't regret leaving show business to raise his children....
ListenNathan Rabin and Benjamin Nugent, author of American Nerd from 2013-07-09T05:30
You'd be hard pressed to find two music groups with more divergent sounds than the jam band Phish and the horrorcore rap duo Insane Clown Posse. But they've got something in common. Each of them ha...
ListenThe Directors of "Doin' It In The Park" and Mary Roach from 2013-07-02T05:30
Delve into the culture of pickup basketball this week, and find out why each of the hundreds of courts in New York City is a unique experience. Jesse will talk with Bobbito Garcia and his co-direct...
ListenLemmy and Jackson Publick from 2013-06-25T05:30
[r] Who is Lemmy? Well he’s the singer for Motörhead and he’s revered by metal fans around the globe. Jesse talked to Lemmy in person a couple of years ago at SxSW and you’ll...
ListenPaul Feig and Ophira Eisenberg from 2013-06-18T05:30
Director Paul Feig talks about being a child magician, an actor and stand-up, and what finally drove him behind the camera to direct film and television. Plus, he’ll talk about his new movie ...
ListenCharlie Wilson from The Gap Band from 2013-06-11T05:30
Charlie Wilson made hits in the 80s as the frontman of the Gap Band. In the 90s he was homeless on the streets of LA. Then, he turned it all around. Jesse talks with Charlie Wilson about his astoni...
Listen"Weird Al" Yankovic and Geoffrey Nunberg from 2013-06-04T05:30
[r] "Weird Al" Yankovic is a master of parody music and one of the all-time bestselling accordionists. He and Jesse talk about Yankovic's multi-decade career. Plus, Bullseye's rap contributor Andre...
ListenChristopher Guest&Dan Kennedy from 2013-05-28T05:30
Christopher Guest talks about the origins of his signature style of parodic filmmaking. He’ll also talk about why music pops up in his movies so much. Guest explored folk music in A Mighty Wi...
ListenMel Brooks and The Source Family from 2013-05-14T05:30
Jesse talks to Mel Brooks about his unparalleled career -- from writing for Sid Caesar on television in the 1950s to working with Gene Wilder on The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstei...
ListenHuey Lewis and Phone Phreaking with Phil Lapsley from 2013-05-07T05:30
Jesse talks to Huey Lewis about his pub rock beginnings, his multi-platinum success with the album Sports, and how he wrote songs for movies like Back to the Future and Pineapple Express. He also t...
ListenSimon Amstell and Brian K. Vaughan from 2013-04-30T05:30
We revisit Jesse’s interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers that be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite the escapades, Amstell sp...
ListenJulia Louis-Dreyfus, Armando Iannucci and Billy Bragg from 2013-04-23T05:30
We’re talking Veep this week with the HBO comedy’s showrunner, Armando Iannucci, and its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Iannucci talks about geeking out on American and British politics and...
ListenShane Carruth (Upstream Color) and Rodney Ascher (Room 237) from 2013-04-16T05:30
Jesse talks to the director Shane Carruth. His new movie Upstream Color has almost no dialogue, involves a kind of abstract science fiction premise, but keeps you fully engaged. Then Jesse talks to...
ListenBig Boi from OutKast and Catherine O'Hara from 2013-04-09T05:30
Actress Catherine O’Hara talks about her start with the Second City’s SCTV, blockbuster success with Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and her perfect encapsulation of comic absurdity in Chri...
ListenLily Tomlin, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Davy Rothbart from 2013-04-02T05:30
There’s no mistaking actress Lily Tomlin. Even when the part is small, she’s never lost in the background. In fact she almost steals the show in the new Tina Fey movie. It’s calle...
ListenNBC's Must See TV with Warren Littlefield, former NBC executive from 2013-03-26T05:30
Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a Thursday night powerhouse in the 80s and 90s. B...
ListenNBC’s Must See TV with Warren Littlefield, former NBC executive from 2013-03-26T05:30
Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a Thursday night powerhouse in the 80s and 90s. B...
ListenSimon Rich and Bill Burr from 2013-03-19T05:30
Simon Rich is an absolutely hilarious writer. He sits down with Jesse, and says that he doesn't write about the way love happens, he writes about the way love feels. Rich has a new book out -- Last...
ListenMoshe Kasher and Lateef the Truthspeaker from 2013-03-12T05:30
Alex Zalben and Brian Heater offer up some of their all-time comics favorites. The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed...
ListenAisha Tyler and Bilal from 2013-03-05T05:30
Nathan Rabin and Marah Eakin from the AV Club talk about a couple of their all-time favorite albums from Warren Zevon and Fleetwood Mac, respectively. Aisha Tyler -- who stars as Lana on Archer, th...
ListenAndrew Rannells, Jim Lehrer, Thao Nguyen from 2013-02-26T05:30
The actor Andrew Rannells talks about growing up gay in Nebraska, his role in The Book of Mormon, and how to avoid uncomfortable moments when filming nude scenes. Public broadcasting legend Jim Leh...
ListenBoots Riley, Roman Mars and Steve Agee – Recorded at SF Sketchfest! from 2013-02-19T05:30
The Coup's Boots Riley talks about using lyrics to battle capitalism coporatism, police brutality and injustice. Roman Mars, host of 99% Invisible, traces his journey from wunderkind PhD student to...
ListenMaria Bamford and George Saunders from 2013-02-12T05:30
The writer George Saunders talks about his early creative challenges, the slight constant pressure of capitalism, and Tenth of December, his new book of short stories. Maria Bamford explains why sh...
ListenW. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia and Eleni Mandell from 2013-02-05T05:30
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to h...
ListenNick Kroll and Billy Eichner from 2013-01-29T05:30
Jesse talks to Billy Eichner, who quizzes bewildered New York pedestrians on the topics that are nearest and dearest to his heart: Britney Spears, Meryl Streep and Madonna. But first, Nick Kroll ta...
ListenJeff Bridges, Bernie Glassman and H. Jon Benjamin from 2013-01-22T05:30
It may not be the movie that won Jeff Bridges an Oscar, but The Big Lebowski is still one of the actor's favorites. Bridges joins Zen master Bernie Glassman to talk with Jesse about the Dude in all...
ListenBenedict Cumberbatch, Errol Morris and Craig Finn from 2013-01-15T05:30
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his life. Documentarian Errol Morris reveals why h...
ListenAimee Mann&Seth Godin from 2013-01-08T05:30
Aimee Mann explains her transition from an 80s pop star to a solo performer who writes mostly for her own tastes. Then, a conversation with Seth Godin. He's kind of a creative marketing guy, but no...
ListenThe 2012 Comedy Special from 2013-01-01T05:30
Bullseye features the best stuff from comedy specials and comedy albums released in 2012. Hear from Demetri Martin, John Mulaney, Maria Bamford, Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Kyle Ki...
ListenBonus Episode! Dick Cavett and Dave Hill at MaxFunCon East from 2012-12-24T05:30
As a holiday gift, Bullseye features a conversation between two incomparable wits: Dick Cavett and Dave Hill. This event was taped live at MaxFunCon East in October of 2012. Listen
Holiday Special with Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick&The Polyphonic Spree from 2012-12-18T05:30
It's the Bullseye 2012 Holiday Special! But don't worry, there will be no Rudolph, and no Jingle Bells ... not if Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick have written an album full of all original Chris...
ListenDolly Parton&Judd Apatow from 2012-12-11T05:30
Jesse interviews Dolly Parton about the sacrifices she made for her astounding career and how she feels about them now. Plus, Judd Apatow talks about his new comedy This Is 40. It explores the str...
ListenSimon Amstell, Brian K Vaughn&Jordan Ranks America from 2012-12-03T17:44:34
An interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers-that-be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite the escapades, Amstell spends much of his time ...
ListenTavi Gevinson, Retta&Michael Ian Black from 2012-11-20T05:30
Tavi Gevinson talks about how weird it can get navigating the fashion world as a teenager. Then Retta – the comedian and actress you might have seen on Parks & Recreation – talks about ...
ListenWriter Fran Lebowitz from 2012-11-12T13:24:22
A conversation with the New York cultural authority Fran Lebowitz. Find out why she was expelled from high school, why she waltzed into a publishing office barefoot to submit her first manuscript, ...
ListenActor Stephen Tobolowsky from 2012-11-05T15:00:47
Stephen Tobolowsky is a veteran character actor. Now he's an author, too, but his book isn't about Hollywood stuff. It's about normal stuff from his life like getting held up at the grocery store, ...
ListenKey&Peele, Pop Culture Quandaries with My Brother, My Brother and Me from 2012-10-23T05:30
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members on their Comedy Central show; and a card game ...
ListenVijay Iyer, Demetri Martin&Dave Hill from 2012-10-16T05:30
Jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer explores the relationship between music, the mind and the body. The comedian Dave Hill performs in front of his toughest audience yet: 250 maximum security felo...
ListenLiam Lynch and Geoff Nunberg on the "A-word" from 2012-10-09T05:30
The writer, director and musician Liam Lynch talks to us about bringing back his sock puppet duo Sifl and Olly and how he met not ONE, but TWO Beatles. Plus, linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about how ...
ListenSyl Johnson, Gillian Flynn and Matt Berninger from The National from 2012-10-02T05:30
Jesse talks to Syl Johnson – the soul singer who has been sampled on countless hip-hop records — about turning down the record deal that ended up going to Al Green. Julie Klausner sits down with Gi...
ListenRob Delaney, Nellie McKay and Jordan Ranks America from 2012-09-25T05:30
Jesse talks to Rob Delaney, one of the funniest guys on Twitter with over a half a million followers. He might prefer the virtual world because he's so uncomfortable with the human body.And co-host...
ListenWayne White, Antibalas, Brent Weinbach from 2012-09-18T05:30
Wayne White is the subject of a new documentary directed by Neil Berkeley. If you ever wished you could live in Pee-Wee Herman's bizarre and amazing playhouse - Wayne's the man responsible for that...
ListenW. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia, Eleni Mandell from 2012-09-04T05:30
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to h...
ListenKurt Andersen, Chris Fairbanks and Ari Graynor from 2012-08-28T05:30
Guest host Jordan Morris sits down with Kurt Andersen to talk about creative procrastination, why a new generation is happily digging into its parents record collection, and Andersen's new book Tru...
ListenBlack Dynamite, The Explorers Club and Rachel Dratch from 2012-08-21T05:30
Black Dynamite's Michael Jai White and Carl Jones talk about their favorite blaxploitation films of the 70s. Actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, and six months later she's pregnant. Plus, Jason...
ListenBob Newhart and the Directors of Mr. Rogers&Me from 2012-08-14T05:30
Jesse talks to Ben and Christopher Wagner about America's most beloved broadcaster — Mister Fred Rogers — and they all hold back tears. Plus, Jesse sits down with another beloved, cardigan-wearing ...
ListenRedd Kross and Matt Braunger from 2012-08-07T05:30
Jordan Morris sits in for Jesse and talks to the influential punk band Redd Kross about their own influences — from Deep Purple to Ziggy Stardust — and then asks where they disappeared to for almos...
ListenMichael Ian Black&Tom Bissell, author of Magic Hours: Essays on Creators and Creation from 2012-07-31T05:30
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why he started compulsively Googling the phrase "F...
ListenRJ Smith profiles James Brown, comedy from Cameron Esposito from 2012-07-24T12:55
James Brown wasn't just the Minister of the New New Heavy Super Funk and the Godfather of Soul. He was the hardest working man in show business, and a complex character to boot. RJ Smith profiles t...
ListenLisa Kudrow, Eric Andre and American Pickers' Danielle Colby from 2012-07-17T05:30
Lisa Kudrow — the "dumb" one from Friends — talks about her career in brain science, and her current Showtime show Web Therapy. Plus, Eric Andre deconstructs the talk show — quite literally.And Jes...
ListenRobert Glasper and Pendleton Ward from 2012-07-10T05:30
Robert Glasper transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Jesse talks to Pendleton Ward about his animated show Adventure Time. It combines two gre...
ListenMark Adams, Dave Hill, Jordan Ranks America from 2012-07-03T05:30
Mark Adams – a magazine editor who had never even slept in a tent as an adult– treks through the Andes tracing the journey of Hiram Bingham. And the comedian Dave Hill ALSO throws himself into a di...
ListenElvis Mitchell, of Montreal's Kevin Barnes and My Brother, My Brother and Me from 2012-06-26T05:30
Elvis Mitchell on how he made a career writing about movies, and why he was arrested on the Canadian border with Cuban cigars and 15 thousand in cash. Kevin Barnes, from of Montreal, goes small in ...
ListenScott Aukerman, Mark Duplass, David Rees from 2012-06-19T05:30
Mark Duplass is involved in half a dozen projects. But he isn't worried about spreading himself too thin. Plus, Jesse talks to the writer and comic Scott Aukerman about sketch comedy on the cult cl...
ListenIce-T, Greta Gerwig and Aaron Freeman from 2012-06-12T05:30
In his new movie, Ice-T interviews Snoop, Rakim, and a bunch of other famous rappers. Plus, Ice reveals whether he wrote raps for Mr. T in the 80s. Jesse also talks to Greta Gerwig — star of the ne...
ListenDaniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers and Nico Muhly from 2012-06-05T05:30
Daniel Handler delves into his memories of young love to pen the novel "Why We Broke Up" — the twist? He writes the girl's side of the story. The Sklar Brothers talk about their new comedy album – ...
ListenKurt Braunohler and Walter Mosley from 2012-05-29T05:30
Comedian Kurt Braunohler explains his improvised anti-game show, where among other things, comedians are challenged to verbally shame puppies. The comedy group Kasper Hauser will interrupt our ente...
ListenR.A. Dickey, pitcher for the New York Mets from 2012-05-22T05:30
Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey talks about fighting his way through 10 years as a marginal pro baseball player before giving himself over to the uncontrollable but devastating knuckleball.Then we travel ...
ListenBenedict Cumberbatch, Morgan Webb, Craig Finn from 2012-05-15T05:30
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his life. Video game journalist and TV host Morgan...
ListenChris Gethard&Lawrence Weschler from 2012-05-08T05:30
Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never look quite right, and why humans are addicted to...
ListenMichael Ian Black and Tom Bissell from 2012-05-01T06:30
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why he started compulsively Googling the phrase "F...
ListenTony Hale and Nicholas Stoller from 2012-04-24T05:30
The actor Tony Hale talks about his early commercial work, his faith, and who to call when you need to learn a few new swear words ... FAST. Writer and director Nick Stoller extols the virtues of t...
ListenRachel Dratch and the creators of Eagleheart from 2012-04-17T05:30
Comic actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, meets a guy and six months later she's pregnant. It's all in her new memoir. Plus, the creators of the comedy TV show Eagleheart talk about their prima...
ListenJazz pianist Robert Glasper and animator Pendleton Ward from 2012-04-10T05:30
An interview with jazz pianist Robert Glasper, who transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Then Pendleton Ward talks about his animated show Adv...
ListenBob Newhart and Benjamin and Christofer Wagner of "Mister Rogers and Me" from 2012-04-03T11:28
Jesse talks to Benjamin and Christofer Wagner about America's most beloved broadcaster --Mister Fred Rogers — and they all hold back tears. Plus, Jesse sits down with another beloved, cardigan-wear...
ListenMoshe Kasher, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and the directors of Undefeated from 2012-03-27T06:00
The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing new memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed his life, and Jesse talks to the directors of Undefeated — it's a sports d...
ListenSwamp Dogg, John Mulaney, Comic Book Picks and Kasper Hauser from 2012-03-20T05:00
Unsung soul maverick Swamp Dogg reflects on his long and storied recording career, with hits ranging from R&B, to psychedelic to country. John Mulaney debuts a second stand-up comedy special and co...
ListenBaratunde Thurston, Stuff You Should Know, Mark Frauenfelder from 2012-03-13T05:00
Author and comedian Baratunde Thurston talks about how to be black, whether it's in high school at Sidwell Friends, in college at Harvard, or while working at The Onion. His satirical self-help boo...
ListenJeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Andrew Noz and God on Noah from 2012-03-06T06:00
Actor Jeffrey Tambor talks about his portrayal of Jesse's favorite television character — Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show. Then, an interview with Doug Jones. He's tall and skinny, with a s...
ListenKey&Peele, The AV Club and My Brother, My Brother and Me from 2012-02-28T06:00
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members on their new Comedy Central show; and a card g...
ListenDavid Wain, The AV Club, and Jordan Ranks America from 2012-02-21T06:00
This week David Wain makes the successful leap from cultiest-of-cult comedy to the mainstream multiplex – and keeps things super funny. Correspondant Jordan Morris ranks all of the things in Americ...
ListenDaniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers, Nico Muhly, Mark Frauenfelder from 2012-02-14T06:00
Daniel Handler delves into his memories of young love to pen the novel "Why We Broke Up" — the twist? He writes the girl's side of the story. The Sklar Brothers talk about their new comedy album – ...
ListenMichael Rapaport, Werner Herzog, AV Club Recommendations, Kasper Hauser News from 2012-02-07T06:00
Actor Michael Rapaport profiles his favorite hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, and ends up documenting their deep-rooted friendships and conflicts. Filmmaker Werner Herzog looks into the Chauvet...
ListenTim and Eric, Roz Chast, Noz on Rap and God's Favorite Things from 2012-01-31T06:00
Tim and Eric are known for the surreal and uncomfortable comedy in their sketch show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. They also promoted Shrek 3 without permission from the movie studio. Now,...
ListenJenna Fischer, Jack Handey, Video Game Picks and Kasper Hauser from 2012-01-24T05:00
Jenna Fischer talks about her totally-made-up-sounding first acting gig in LA, auditioning for The Office, and what all the actors are doing on their computers when they're in the background of a s...
ListenAisha Tyler, David Hornsby, Jordan Ranks America, The AV Club from 2012-01-17T06:00
Aisha Tyler funnels her childhood outsider-y experiences toward comedy and performance. She's on the animated FX show Archer. David Hornsby talks about building comedic stories from his real life r...
ListenMini Episode! Lawrence Weschler on The Museum of Jurassic Technolog from 2012-01-13T06:00
In a supplement to this week's interview, Lawrence Weschler talks with Jesse about The Museum of Jurassic Technology. Don't miss this!
ListenChris Gethard, Lawrence Weschler, Andrew Noz and More from 2012-01-10T06:00
Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never look quite right, and why humans are addicted to...
ListenDownton Abbey, Chris Lilley, Dan Deacon, AV Club Picks from 2012-01-03T09:00
The first episode of Bullseye! Jesse interviews the cast of Downton Abbey, a costume drama on PBS Masterpiece that is NOT BORING AT ALL. He'll also talk to Chris Lilley, the Australian comedian beh...
Listen2011 Comedy Special from 2011-12-22T15:57
Once a year the small staff here at The Sound of Young America compiles the best comedy we've heard from the past year. Our selections may not be poignant, they may not contribute to a broader und...
ListenEd Levine from Serious Eats from 2011-12-16T06:00
Ed Levine is the founder and editor of the blog Serious Eats, a forum for sharing "food enthusiasm." He's written regularly about NY food and the iconic American foods and their place in our societ...
ListenComedy: Rob Baedeker's CSA Box from 2011-12-14T07:30
Our contributor Rob Baedeker's new kick is his organic farm, and he shares the letter from his CSA box with us. Rob is a member of the comedy sketch group Kasper Hauser and a freelance writer.
ListenFood Writer Jonathan Gold from 2011-12-11T22:49
Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold talks to us about how he manages the day to day eating, the best pastrami sandwich, overcoming food fears and more. He writes for the LA Weekly and ...
ListenCarrie Fisher from 2011-12-04T23:00
Carrie Fisher is perhaps best known as Princess Leia from the seminal Star Wars films, but she began her celebrity life as a baby — the daughter of America's sweethearts, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie ...
ListenAV Club Picks: December 2011 from 2011-11-30T22:30
AV Club Editor Keith Phipps and Associate Editor Tasha Robinson join us to give their culture picks for December 2011.
ListenNile Rodgers from 2011-11-27T23:00
Nile Rodgers launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing superstar. He was behind Diana Ross' "I'm Comin...
ListenComedy: Jordan Ranks America, November 2011 from 2011-11-20T22:00
Our correspondent Jordan Morris pores over what's happening in America to let you know what's best in the US right now.
ListenPatrick Warburton from 2011-11-09T04:00
Patrick Warburton is a live and voice actor known for his roles on Seinfeld, NewsRadio and The Venture Brothers among others. He's currently starring in the popular CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement ...
ListenComedy: Rob Baedeker's Chemistry Lecture from 2011-11-03T14:30
Rod Baedeker from Kasper Hauser drops by The Sound of Young America to share with us his ground-breaking lecture he gave at Cal Tech.
ListenKate Beaton, Author of Hark! a Vagrant from 2011-10-30T22:30
Kate Beaton authors the webcomic Hark! a Vagrant. The comic strips mine history and literature for figures to be reimagined and skewered as petulant children, jaded superheroes and Victorian dude-w...
ListenJeanne Darst, author of Fiction Ruined My Family from 2011-10-28T04:00
Jeanne Darst is a writer and performer whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and This American Life. She recently published her first book, Fiction Ruined My Family, about her lit...
ListenComedy: Jordan Ranks America, October 2011 from 2011-10-26T07:00
Don't know where to turn, or who to believe? Try our correspondent Jordan Morris, who brings you the best of America every month.
ListenRin Tin Tin with Susan Orlean from 2011-10-16T23:30
Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the dog and the character Rin Tin Tin, plus much more. Her new book is Rin Tin T...
ListenAV Club Picks: Fall TV from 2011-10-13T10:30
Today's guests from the AV Club are TV Editor Todd VanDerWerff and Assistant Editor Erik Adams. They drop by to discuss their TV picks for the Fall season from Showtimes 'Homeland' to NBCs 'Up All ...
ListenBootsy Collins from 2011-10-09T23:30
The legendary funk bassist joins us to talk about creating the persona of Bootsy, playing music with two very different band leaders, James Brown and George Clinton, and more.
ListenJohn Roderick: The Song That Changed My Life from 2011-10-05T13:06
The Long Winters' frontman, John Roderick, talks to us about the song that changed his life: ZZ Top's Gimme All Your Lovin'.
ListenJonathan Coulton&John Flansburgh from 2011-10-02T21:32
For Jonathan Coulton, success as a musician has come with recording music himself, releasing individual songs online one-at-a-time, and even selling his catalog on a USB drive. So in a way, his ne...
ListenNeil deGrasse Tyson from 2011-09-22T07:30
John Hodgman guest hosts this interview with astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium, but the layperson likely knows him as the host of Star Talk...
ListenGeorge R.R. Martin from 2011-09-18T22:30
John Hodgman guest hosts an interview with the fantasy, science fiction and horror author George R. R. Martin. Martin is the author of the very popular series known as "A Song of Ice and Fire", wh...
ListenRetromania with Simon Reynolds from 2011-09-15T05:30
Is cultural innovation at risk when we indulge in retromania? Music critic Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about why songs today are more unimaginative when we have unprecedented access to decades'...
ListenNicolas Winding Refn, Director of "Drive" from 2011-09-12T02:09:43
Nicolas Winding Refn is the Danish director of the new film "Drive", starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Refn had a very specific vision for the film, which included trance-like music and thr...
ListenRobert Popper from 2011-08-31T08:30
Robert Popper is a British comedy writer behind projects like the BBC mock educational series "Look Around You" with Peter Serafinowicz and the new BBC America series "Friday Night Dinner". He's a...
ListenPaul Scheer from 2011-08-26T05:00
Paul Scheer, an actor and comedian behind shows like Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: and MTV's Human Giant, talks to us about low budgets, when parody comes from a place of love, and more.
ListenOK Go's Damian Kulash: The Song That Changed My Life from 2011-08-24T08:00
Damian Kulash talks to us about the moment he heard Herbie Hancock's Rockit, and how it it informed his life today as the lead singer of OK GO. The band's live album, 180/365, is out now.
ListenBruce Campbell from 2011-08-22T03:00
Bruce Campbell is a writer, producer, and cult movie actor who starred in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series and can currently be seen on the USA show Burn Notice. We talked to him about the DIY aestheti...
ListenDanny Pudi from 2011-08-19T07:00
Danny Pudi is an actor and comedian, best known for his role as the pop culture-obsessed Abed Nadir on the NBC show Community. He talks to us about working on a show that's as much fun to shoot as...
ListenBruce McCulloch from 2011-08-14T22:00
Bruce McCulloch, best known as one of the members of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, is a writer, actor and director of movies like Superstar and Stealing Harvard. He talks to us about trac...
ListenNoz's Rap Picks August 2011 from 2011-08-08T18:21
Our hip hop contributor Noz of the blog Cocaine Blunts joins us to talk about his favorite tracks of the moment.
ListenTig Notaro from 2011-08-08T18:20
Tig Notaro is a veteran stand-up comedian who you might recognize from her Comedy Central special or perhaps her stint as "Officer Tig" on The Sarah Silverman Program. She's just released her debut...
ListenMaxFunCon Special from 2011-08-03T05:30
A talk from On the Media's Brooke Gladstone, a conversation between John Hodgman and Toy Story 3's director Lee Unkrich, and comedy from Graham Clark, Maria Bamford, Greg Behrendt, Josie Long, and ...
ListenPaul Provenza from 2011-07-28T03:30
Paul Provenza is a veteran stand up comic, but he's also ventured into documenting the world of comedy at large. He's collected interviews with comedians in his book Satiristas and explored the var...
ListenJeff Garlin from 2011-07-24T20:00
Jeff Garlin is an actor, director and comic — and perhaps best known as Larry David's best friend and manager Jeff Greene on the acclaimed HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show recently kicked of...
ListenComedy: Jordan Ranks America July 2011 from 2011-07-21T04:30
It's that time again - Jordan Morris spells it all out for us. From the bottom to the top, it's Jordan Ranks America.
ListenErrol Morris from 2011-07-17T19:03
Errol Morris is an Academy Award-winning director who has documented a wide range of subjects, from warfare in The Fog of War to your everyday eccentrics in Vernon, Florida. His talks about his new...
ListenAV Club Picks July 2011 from 2011-07-15T06:00
AV Club editors Kyle Ryan and Tasha Robinson join us to talk about their top picks in July's music, movies, and books.
ListenComedy: Jackie Kashian from 2011-07-13T13:30
Jackie Kashian is an LA-based stand up who hosts her own podcast, The Dork Forest. Here's her set from MaxFunCon 2011, a gathering of people who wish to be more awesome.
ListenSimon Pegg from 2011-07-10T20:00
Filmmaker and actor Simon Pegg talks about nerds' epic climb up the social ladder — from schoolyard runts to mainstream successes. His new memoir is called Nerd Do Well.
ListenMichael Rapaport from 2011-07-05T02:30
Michael Rapaport has an extensive list of credits as an actor, but he visits us to talk about his directorial debut. He took on the task of following the travails of his favorite hip hop group, A ...
ListenComedy: Prescott Tolk from 2011-06-27T11:00
Stand up comedy from Prescott Tolk, from our live show in Chicago earlier this year.
ListenWeird Al Returns from 2011-06-25T17:29
When we last spoke to Weird Al, he was working on his top-secret new album. Now he's returned to talk about "Alpocalypse" and the process of parodying other artists.
ListenGlenn O'Brien - The Style Guy from 2011-06-16T18:50
Glenn O'Brien is the author of How To Be A Man, and the Style Guy columnist for GQ. He also created and hosted TV Party, the seminal new wave television show, and edited Interview magazine.
ListenRudolph Herzog from 2011-06-10T06:00
Writer and filmmaker Rudolph Herzog explores the jokes employed by the oppressed and the oppressors of Germany's Third Reich in his new book, Dead Funny: Humor in Hitler's Germany.
ListenJon Ronson from 2011-06-06T01:00
Jon Ronson is a journalist, filmmaker and humorist who has written Them: Adventures with Extremists, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and has just published his newest book, The Psychopath Test.
ListenScot Armstrong from 2011-06-02T08:00
Scot Armstrong is a screenwriter and comedian who has co-written Old School, Road Trip, and Starsky and Hutch among others. His newest writing project was tackling The Hangover Part II with Todd P...
ListenDemetri Martin from 2011-05-26T21:46
Demetri Martin is a standup comedian, writer and actor. His new book is called This Is A Book.
ListenAV Club Picks - May 2011 from 2011-05-26T13:20:33
Our friends Nathan Rabin and Josh Modell from The AV Club drop by to expound upon their pop culture picks for right now, including The Lonely Island and Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! Season ...
ListenMen of a Certain Age: Mike Royce and Ray Romano from 2011-05-23T08:00
Mike Royce and Ray Romano are the co-creators of the TNT comedic drama "Men of a Certain Age", which follows three friends through the struggles of middle age. They've previously worked together o...
ListenNoz's Rap Picks, May 2011 from 2011-05-20T12:49
Hip hop blogger Noz is back to talk about his favorite songs this month — listen up to hear about DJ Quik, Fat Trel, E-40 and more.
ListenProdigy of Mobb Deep from 2011-05-15T20:00
Prodigy is a Grammy Award-winning rapper and member of the seminal hip-hop group Mobb Deep. His new autobiography is "My Infamous Life."
ListenSarah Vowell from 2011-05-10T06:00
Sarah Vowell is an author and humorist whose newest book, Unfriendly Fishes, is about the annexation of Hawaii.
ListenWerner Herzog from 2011-05-06T00:00
Werner Herzog is an acclaimed (and prolific) film writer and director, known for narrative films like Aguirre, the Wrath of God as well as documentaries like Grizzly Man. His newest release is a 3...
ListenComedy: Jordan Ranks America, May 2011 from 2011-05-04T13:00:10
Want to know what's good in the US of A this month? Jordan Morris has the scoop.
ListenPhil Rosenthal from 2011-05-01T23:50
Phil Rosenthal is the creator of the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which ran for nine seasons on US television. He's also the subject of a new documentary about the challenges of translating ...
ListenLive in Chicago with Peter Sagal from 2011-04-24T22:33:03
Peter Sagal of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, wrestler-comedian Colt Cabana, singer Robbie Fulks and standup comic Cameron Esposito join Jesse in this live show recorded at Chicago's Second City.
ListenAV Club Picks: April 2011 from 2011-04-15T13:42:12
We're joined by Keith Phipps, the AV Club's editor and Scott Tobias, the AV Club's film editor to discuss their pop culture picks for April 2011.
ListenDas Racist from 2011-04-13T13:48
Das Racist is a Brooklyn hip hop trio known for tracks like "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell" and "hahahaha jk?" They've referred to their particular approach to hip hop as "deconstructualist,...
ListenComedy: The Remington County Folk Festival and Electronics Expo with SuperEgo from 2011-04-10T10:30
SuperEgo presents a few words from our current sponsor: The Remington County Folk Festival (and Electronics Expo...?).
ListenJohn Darnielle from 2011-04-07T00:30
John Darnielle began making music as the frontman of folk rock band The Mountain Goats in 1991. The band subsequently has gained a cult following and Darnielle has been hailed as one of rock's bes...
ListenCarl Newman from 2011-04-04T19:34:56
Carl Newman is the main songwriter and vocalist of indie rock band The New Pornographers, and also performs as a solo act under the moniker A.C. Newman. The New Pornographers' most recent release ...
ListenDan Charnas from 2011-03-25T00:00
Dan Charnas, a former record company executive, radio host and journalist has authored a history of the business side of hip-hop called The Big Payback.
ListenNoz's Rap Picks from 2011-03-22T01:30
Noz, of the hip-hop blog Cocaine Blunts, shares some of his favorite new tracks.
ListenComedy: Craig Rowin from 2011-03-20T00:00
Craig Rowin has a proposition for all you millionaires out there.
ListenGreg Mottola from 2011-03-10T15:13:28
Greg Mottola is the director behind Superbad and Adventureland, and has also directed episodes of Arrested Development and Undeclared. His new film Paul is out March 18th, and stars Simon Pegg and ...
ListenBill Hader from 2011-03-08T13:02:28
Bill Hader is an actor and cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he's been known for his great impressions as well as beloved recurring characters like Stefon and Vinny Vedecci. He's also been ...
ListenPhil Collins: The Song That Changed My Life from 2011-03-06T10:43
Phil Collins chose She Loves You by The Beatles as the song that changed his life for our ongoing series.
ListenScott Thompson from 2011-03-03T11:07:53
An actor and comedian best known for his work in the Canadian sketch group The Kids in the Hall, Scott Thompson recently released his first graphic novel based on one of his characters, Danny Husk.
ListenWeird Al Yankovic from 2011-02-27T23:26
Weird Al Yankovic is the undisputed king of parody music and the all-time bestselling accordionist. His new children's book is When I Grow Up. His new album is due this summer.
ListenLive from SF Sketchfest from 2011-02-16T13:25
Comedy from Baron Vaughn and Kasper Hauser plus interviews with Bobcat Goldthwait and Steve Dildarian and music from John Vanderslice from our live show at the San Francisco Sketchfest comedy festi...
ListenA Thousand Clowns from 2011-02-13T16:46
Jesse's live conversation at the Cinefamily in Los Angeles with Barry Gordon, the then-15-year-old star of the film A Thousand Clowns. Released in 1965 and now out-of-print, A Thousand Clowns co-st...
ListenDick Cavett from 2011-02-10T12:03
Dick Cavett is best known as a talk show host who spoke with (and listened to) some of America's most celebrated entertainers. With a playful yet sophisticated wit, he hosted The Dick Cavett Show, ...
ListenBill Carter: The War for Late Night from 2011-02-07T13:28:08
Bill Carter is the author of two books about the politics and people of late night television, and a media reporter for the New York Times. His most recent book is The War for Late Night, a thought...
ListenDaryl Hall from 2011-02-04T12:50
Daryl Hall is a singer, songwriter and producer. He's best known as the lead singer and co-founder of Hall & Oates, who have sold more albums than any other duo in music history. His current proj...
ListenThe Song That Changed My Life: Chuck Brown from 2011-02-02T15:00:12
Chuck Brown is known as "The Godfather of Go-Go", a genre of very danceable funk music that he helped originate in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. His newest release is a 3-disc set called "We Got T...
ListenMavis Staples from 2011-01-30T22:44
Mavis Staples is a legendary R&B and gospel singer. She began singing as part of a family gospel group formed by her father called The Staple Singers. Her newest album, produced by Jeff Tweedy of W...
ListenComedy: Cream and Jordan Ranks America from 2011-01-28T12:59:23
First, "Ragtag", a sketch from LA-based comedy group Cream; then a monthly wrap-up of what's up and what's down with Jordan Morris for "Jordan Ranks America".
ListenFred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of "Portlandia" from 2011-01-22T22:52
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are the stars of a new TV show on IFC called "Portlandia", an affectionate skewering of the young people's bohemian paradise that is Portland, Oregon.
ListenComedy: Superego from 2011-01-18T14:32
Heartlines, the late night call-in request show — "turn on your heartlight and send out a heartline."
ListenDavid Rakoff from 2011-01-10T13:19:19
David Rakoff is an essayist, journalist, and a regular contributor to This American Life. His latest book is a collection of essays called Half Empty, on taking down optimism and championing pessi...
ListenComedy: Maria Bamford at Laugh Night from 2011-01-05T15:20:08
A standup set from one of our comedy heroes, Maria Bamford. Recorded at our last Laugh Night, a benefit for Art Share in Los Angeles.
ListenLynda Barry from 2011-01-03T11:30:57
Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. Her strip Ernie Pook's Comeek earner her a reputation as sweet, funny and fearless. Her two most recent books are about how to create art and writing.
ListenBest Comedy of 2010 from 2010-12-27T13:44:46
Our special highlighting the best comedy of the year, including Kyle Kinane, Paul F. Tompkins, Karen Kilgariff, Kasper Hauser, Hannibal Burress, The State, Nick Thune, Aziz Ansari, Mike Phirman and...
ListenHoliday Special 2010 from 2010-12-15T14:34:06
A holiday extravaganza! In addition to some of our favorite holiday songs, interviews from Ronnie Spector of legendary 60s girl group The Ronettes, Fred Schneider of The B-52s and The Superions, an...
ListenGreg Fitzsimmons from 2010-12-03T13:00
Greg Fitzsimmons is a standup comedian. His memoir is Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons.
ListenAlex Blagg Jacks Your Strat from 2010-12-02T02:00
Web guru Alex Blagg of ABajillionHits.biz jacks your strat with a powerblast of social media marketing know-how and online insight.
ListenJordan Ranks America: November 2010 from 2010-12-01T01:10:03
Jordan Morris ranks America from the bottom to the top.
ListenJohn Brandon from 2010-11-29T13:48
John Brandon is a novelist who was raised on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Citrus County is set in his home state and is his second novel, focusing on a teacher and two middle-schoolers who have thei...
ListenThe AV Club - December 2010 from 2010-11-26T13:38
Keith Phipps and Nathan Rabin of The AV Club stop by to sift through pop culture and present their picks, which include a box set from Apple Records, a new cut of the classic film Metropolis, a boo...
ListenThe National from 2010-11-21T19:11
Matt Berninger is the frontman of the Brooklyn indie rock band The National. The band's latest album is High Violet.
ListenJudd Apatow from 2010-11-15T18:13:30
Judd Apatow is a comedy writer, director and producer. He has become one of the largest comedic forces in Hollywood with films like Knocked Up and the 40 Year Old Virgin. Apatow's new book, I Foun...
ListenLive at WNYC: Les Savy Fav from 2010-11-11T11:35:19
A special set of songs from Brooklyn art-rock band Les Savy Fav, featuring Tim Harrington and Seth Jabour. Les Savy Fav's newest album is "Root for Ruin".
ListenLive at WNYC: Amy Sedaris from 2010-11-08T20:21
Amy Sedaris is an actress, comedian and author. She's known for her role in the creation of the bizarre TV comedy Strangers With Candy and its main character, Jerri Blank, as well as her bestselli...
ListenLive at WNYC: A Reading from John Hodgman from 2010-11-08T20:19
Friend of the show John Hodgman reads a piece written specially for our live show in New York City, entitled "16 Things to Do in Connecticut Before the Coming Total Collapse of Civilization". One ...
ListenLive at WNYC: Judah Friedlander from 2010-11-05T22:12
Judah Friedlander is a regular on NBC's 30 Rock and the author of How To Beat Up Anybody. He is the World Champion.
ListenLee Unkrich from 2010-11-04T11:32:59
Lee Unkrich is the director of Toy Story 3. He's worked at Pixar for more than 15 years, and co-directed Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. and Toy Story 2.
ListenChris Morris from 2010-11-01T11:01:38
Chris Morris is a comedy writer, director and performer. He was voted one of the all-time top 12 "comedians' comedians" in a BBC poll, and his past work includes the news satires Brass Eye and The...
ListenWilliam Gibson from 2010-10-24T14:02:42
William Gibson is a science fiction writer whose works, increasingly, take place in a realistic present. His latest book, Zero History, is about fashion, authenticity and identity.
ListenComedy - Jordan Ranks America 10/10 from 2010-10-20T17:07:03
Jordan Ranks America for October of 2010.
ListenComedy: God's Pottery on Drugs&Alcohol from 2010-10-16T23:17:09
Duo God's Pottery offer very, very serious advice on battling some common vices.
ListenThe AV Club: Toronto International Film Festival from 2010-10-13T11:39:42
The AV Club join us from North America's largest film festival with some tips on upcoming films worth watching out for (and avoiding).
ListenKristen Schaal from 2010-10-08T14:03:29
Kristen Schaal is a comedian, actress, and author. She's best known for her role as Mel, the devoted, stalkerish fan of the band on HBO's "The Flight of the Conchords". She's recently co-authored...
ListenComedy: Greg Behrendt from 2010-10-06T13:45:22
Greg Behrendt talks about meeting one of his heroes, David Lee Roth. Recorded live at The Sound of Young America's "Laugh Night" at ArtShare in Los Angeles.
ListenFlying Lotus from 2010-09-27T12:20:07
Flying Lotus is a Los Angeles-based musician. His critically-acclaimed music blends electronica with progressive hip-hop.
ListenJohn Waters from 2010-09-23T12:40:27
John Waters has a new book out called Role Models that packs a few surprises — chief among them the influence of Johnny Mathis.
ListenJonathan Ames from 2010-09-20T11:51:12
Jonathan Ames is a novelist, non-fiction and television writer. He created and writes the HBO series Bored to Death, which returns with its second season this month.
ListenComedy: Simon Rich: Brain Teasers with Rob Huebel from 2010-09-17T14:51:27
Are you capable of looking past your own prejudices? Simon Rich has prepared a set of brain teasers to answer that question. Featuring Rob Huebel. Simon Rich's new novel is Elliot Allagash.
ListenHenry Winkler from 2010-09-15T13:54:25
He's best known for his role as "The Fonz" on Happy Days, but Henry Winkler's added a number of other acting, producing, and directing credits to his name over the years. He's also co-written a ser...
ListenDonal Logue from 2010-09-13T02:00
Actor Donal Logue stars in the new FX series Terriers. He won best actor at the Sundance Film Festival for his role in The Tao of Steve, and he created the iconic MTV character Jimmy the Cab Driver.
ListenIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia from 2010-09-09T21:47
Rob McElhenney is the creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as well as a writer, director and star of the show ("Mac"). Glenn Howerton plays Dennis on the show, and is also involved in wri...
ListenThe AV Club September 2010 from 2010-09-08T16:07:41
Tasha Robinson and Genevieve Koski join Jesse for September's pop culture picks. Tasha chooses the Australian modern noir The Square and the upcoming season of the TV show Glee. Genevieve's picks...
ListenElijah Wood from 2010-09-04T21:47:39
Elijah Wood has worked as a professional actor since he was seven years old. His credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the upcoming release The R...
ListenMary Roach from 2010-08-27T10:45:16
Mary Roach is the author of several best-selling books of science journalism, the most recent of which is Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.
ListenComedy: God and Moses from 2010-08-25T13:01:34
Simon Rich imagines the conversation at Mount Sinai. Featuring Seth Morris and Paul Scheer.
ListenJon Glaser from 2010-08-23T11:41
Jon Glaser is a comedy writer and performer. His show on Cartoon Network's [adult swim], Delocated, is entering its second season.
ListenComedy: Chelsea Peretti from 2010-08-17T22:06:11
Standup comic Chelsea Peretti recorded this set at our live show in Washington, DC. She was recently selected one of Variety Magazine's Ten Comics to Watch for 2010.
ListenSt. Vincent from 2010-08-09T17:54
Annie Clark, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, performs under the moniker St. Vincent. She got her start playing guitar for The Polyphonic Spree and in Sufjan Stevens' touring band...
ListenThe Song That Changed My Life: Roberta Flack from 2010-08-05T16:48
Roberta Flack is a singer, songwriter and pianist. She won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year for her songs "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song...
ListenAndrew Noz from 2010-07-28T21:20:56
Andrew Noz is the blogger behind Cocaine Blunts & Hip-Hop Tapes, one of the internet's most successful hip-hop blogs. He's also a contributor to NPR, Complex and The Washington City Paper, among o...
ListenThe AV Club July 2010 from 2010-07-23T11:54:25
Nathan Rabin and Josh Modell join Jesse to recommend the best of popular culture. Nathan chooses Louis CK's Louie and the new film The Kids Are All Right. Josh Modell chooses Inception and Childr...
ListenComedy: Nick Adams from 2010-07-21T15:59:39
Stadup comic Nick Adams is the author of How To Make Friends With Black People and a writer for the upcoming NBC series Perfect Couples.
ListenSamantha Bee from 2010-07-19T12:52
Samantha Bee is The Daily Show's longest-tenured correspondent, with seven years on the air. She's just released a memoir, entitled I Know I Am, But What Are You?
ListenJordan Ranks America: July 2010 from 2010-07-19T12:45:18
Jordan Morris tells us what's hot and what's not.
ListenColson Whitehead from 2010-07-14T11:42:50
Colson Whitehead is one of America's most acclaimed novelists. He was the recepient of a MacArthur "genius" grant for his fiction, which includes Apex Hides the Hurt and John Henry Days. His late...
ListenJose James from 2010-07-12T02:34:02
Jose James is an acclaimed jazz and soul singer. He has two new albums - a forward-looking, genre-hopping record called Blackmagic and a collection of piano-and-vocals standards called For All We ...
ListenComedy: My Baby Dreamer from 2010-07-08T11:21:05
Los Angeles comedy group Superego contribute this sponsorship message from My Baby Dreamer.
ListenDan Clowes from 2010-07-01T17:41:08
Dan Clowes is the creator of numerous comics and graphic novels, including Ghost World and Art School Confidential. His latest is Wilson.?
ListenMark Frauenfelder from 2010-06-29T11:32:07
Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of BoingBoing, the editor of Make Magazine, and the author of the new book Made By Hand, about the pleasure of making things yourself.?
ListenComedy: Matt Braunger from 2010-06-26T17:09:40
Comedian Matt Braunger has been seen on Comedy Central, The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He was also a cast member of Mad TV.?
ListenW. Kamau Bell from 2010-06-11T18:36:34
W. Kamau Bell is a San Francisco-based comedian who soaks up politics and pop culture and filters it through a racial lens, using his irreverent thoughts and critiques as fodder for his comedy. He ...
ListenKyle Kinane from 2010-06-09T12:29:33
Kyle Kinane is an emerging stand up comedian who mixes a honest, self-deprecating delivery with his natural story-telling ability. He's recently toured with Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn. Kyle has...
ListenNick Thune from 2010-06-07T06:02:56
Nick Thune is a stand up comedian, actor, guitarist and writer. His observational humor often interlaces storytelling with music. He's made the late night rounds doing stand up on The Tonight Show ...
ListenComedy: Holly Mills from 2010-05-28T11:58:50
Standup comic Holly Mills is a regular in clubs in the Los Angeles area. Her set was recorded at The Sound of Young America Presents: Laugh Night, a benefit for Art Share Los Angeles.?
ListenComedy: Karen Kilgariff's I Want To Win from 2010-05-27T12:10:49
In this touching and hilarious song, Karen Kilgariff (Mr. Show, Ellen, Girls Guitar Club) gives us a behind the scenes look at the life of a successful comedy writer and standup comic.?
ListenAdam Carolla from 2010-05-24T00:57:55
Adam Carolla is a radio and television personality, writer and actor. He hosted or co-hosted The Man Show, The Adam Carolla Show, Too Late with Adam Carolla, and Loveline. He now hosts The Adam C...
ListenComedy: The Batman from 2010-05-22T08:00
Batman takes on The Riddler, who takes on himself in this sketch from ImprovOlympic regular Sarah Gee.
ListenWalter Mosley from 2010-05-20T01:27:13
Walter Mosley is the author of more than 30 books. He's best known for his acclaimed mysteries, including the Easy Rawlins series, which began with Mosley's first novel, Devil in a Blue Dress. Hi...
ListenJim Lehrer from 2010-05-16T22:38:09
Jim Lehrer is the anchor and executive editor of The PBS Newshour. He's also the author of 20 novels, the most recent of which is the train mystery The Super.
ListenComedy: Donald Glover from 2010-05-13T12:17:13
Donald Glover is a standup comic, writer and actor. He is one of the stars of NBC's Community and a member of Derrick Comedy, whose first film, Mystery Team, is available on DVD May 25th.
ListenJulie Klausner from 2010-05-06T10:00
Julie Klausner has written for Saturday Night Live and Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins. Her new book is a dating memoir called I Don't Care About Your Band.
ListenWisenheimer from 2010-05-04T11:36
Mark Oppenheimer is the author of Wisenheimer, a memoir about growing up verball precocious and finding himself in organized debate. He's also religion columnist for the New York Times and profess...
ListenComedy: Jordan Ranks America: May from 2010-05-02T16:29
Jordan Morris tells us what's up, down and all around in these United States.
ListenDoctor Who from 2010-04-19T17:45
Stephen Moffat is the head writer of the lastest series of Doctor Who. Matt Smith plays The Doctor, and Karen Gillan plays his companion. The new version of the beloved sci-fi adventure series is...
ListenComedy: God's Pottery - Abstinence from 2010-04-16T18:17
The Christian folk music duo God's Pottery teach an important lesson about keeping your stuff in your pants.
ListenAndy Richter from 2010-04-11T19:06
Andy Richter is best known as sidekick to Conan O'Brien, on both Late Night and The Tonight Show. He's also a succesful comic writer and actor.
ListenSxSW: Lemmy from 2010-03-31T12:22
Lemmy is the legendary frontman of the band Motorhead. We talk with him, and with Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski, the directors of a documentary called Lemmy which premiered at South by Southwest i...
ListenSxSW: The Bill Hicks Story from 2010-03-29T00:11
Matt Harlock is one of the directors of American: The Bill Hicks Story, about the legendary rebel comic. We talk with Harlock and Bill's brother Steve.
ListenSxSW: David Gordon Green from 2010-03-24T13:28
David Gordon Green is a director. His films have ranged from the touching indie drama George Washington (his debut) to his most recent, the stoner action-comedy Pineapple Express. He's also worke...
ListenSxSW: Bear Nation from 2010-03-22T13:44
Malcolm Ingram is the director of Bear Nation, a documentary about gay bear culture that premiered at South by Southwest in Austin. He previously directed Small Town Gay Bar.
ListenComedy: Karen Kilgariff from 2010-03-21T23:50
Standup comedy from Karen Kilgariff. Kilgariff was head writer of Ellen, and a castmember on Mr. Show.
ListenComedy: God's Pottery - Adoption from 2010-03-19T11:32
Christian folk music duo God's Pottery teach us an important lesson about adoption through the medium of song.
ListenIan Roberts and Matt Walsh from 2010-03-15T18:43
Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh are two of the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade. They also have a new semi-improvised sitcom on Spike TV called "Players."
ListenLuis Guzman from 2010-03-08T02:40
Luis Guzman is one of America's most succesful character actors. He's appeared in dozens of films and television series, from Short Eyes in the 1970s to Miami Vice in the 1980s to Carlito's Way, B...
ListenJordan Ranks America: February from 2010-03-02T16:29
Jordan Morris tells you what's what once again.
ListenSundance: Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch from 2010-02-25T01:52
Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch were nominated for an Oscar for their first documentary feature, Spellbound. Blitz went on to direct the fictional feature Rocket Science, as well as episodes of The O...
ListenSundance: Trevor Groth from 2010-02-23T11:03
Trevor Groth is the director of programming at the Sundance Film Festival. He started at the festival as a teenaged volunteer, and has been charged with reinvigorating its rebellious spirit.
ListenSundance: Drunk History from 2010-02-19T19:44
Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner are the creator and director of Drunk History, a series of shorts in which comedians get very, very drunk, then re-tell their favorite stories from history. The stor...
ListenSundance: Biker Fox and Jeremy Lamberton from 2010-02-17T12:07
Biker Fox is a cycling enthusiast and local legend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jeremy Lamberton is the director of a documentary feature about Biker and his eccentric lifestyle. The film premiered at the...
ListenSundance: Drake Doremus, Director of Douchebag from 2010-02-15T12:08
Drake Doremus' second feature, Douchebag, premiered at Sundance 2010. It's about two brothers who hit the road before one's wedding. It was inspired by Doremus relationship with the editor of his...
ListenSundance: Boy's Taika Waititi and James Rolleston from 2010-02-11T11:24
Taika Waititi is the writer, director and star of "Boy," which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. James Rolleston is his pre-teen co-star. The film, based on Waititi's Oscar-nominat...
ListenSundance: Kevin Kline from 2010-02-08T02:29
Kevin Kline is one of America's greatest actors. He's one of the few to have won an Oscar for a comic role (his amazing turn in "A Fish Called Wanda"), and he's been acclaimed for his work in ever...
ListenSal Santana from 2010-02-05T11:32
Salvador Santana is a keyboard player and singer-songwriter. His father is guitar legend Carlos Santana. He's just released a new LP, Keyboard City.
ListenLoudon Wainwright III from 2010-02-02T11:38
Loudon Wainwright III is an accomplished singer-songwriter, an occaisional actor, and the scion of a musical family. Three of his children - Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright...
ListenThe AV Club from 2010-01-26T23:08
Tasha Robinson and Nathan Rabin of The AV Club join Jesse to recommend a few great films which are new to DVD.
ListenGahan Wilson from 2010-01-20T13:12
Gahan Wilson is perhaps America's most legendary cartoonist. For more than 50 years, his distinctively twisted single-panel cartoons have appeared in magazines like Playboy and The New Yorker.
ListenJane Espenson from 2010-01-18T20:43
TV writer Jane Espenson is executive producer of Caprica, a new series based in the Battlestar Galactica universe. She's also written for Ellen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Gilmore Girls and more.
ListenElna Baker from 2010-01-14T23:23
Elna Baker is a comedian and writer. Her memoir is "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance."
ListenAziz Ansari from 2010-01-11T11:22
Aziz Ansari is an actor and comedian. He's a regular on Parks and Recreation, and a member of the comedy group Human Giant. He's also been in films like Observe & Report and Funny People.
ListenHugh Moore from 2010-01-07T19:01
Standup comedy from Hugh Moore, recorded live at the Bentzen Ball in Washington, D.C.
ListenBest Comedy of 2009 from 2009-12-28T12:45
An hour-long TSOYA special featuring our favorite comedy of 2009, including Maria Bamford, Dana Gould, Patton Oswalt, Tig Notaro and more.
ListenBrutal Metal Holiday Special from 2009-12-22T11:00
Rob Halford of Judas Priest and the directors of Until the Light Takes Us, about Norweigan black metal, join us for a brutal metal holiday special.
ListenDonald Glover from 2009-12-10T20:18
Donald Glover is a writer, comedian and actor. He was a writer for NBC's 30 Rock, and now acts on NBC's Community. His sketch group, Derrick Comedy, has a new feature film called Mystery Team.
ListenMark Duplass from 2009-12-08T14:45
Mark Duplass is an actor and filmmaker. He stars in the new FX comedy The League, and with his brother Jay has written, directed and starred in several acclaimed films, including The Puffy Chair a...
ListenJordan Ranks America from 2009-12-03T18:00
Jordan Morris ranks America in his own inimitable way.
ListenAlex Patsavas from 2009-11-30T13:26
Alex Patsavas has been been filling up your portable music device with the non-mainstream/indie rock music you love without you even knowing it.She's mostly known for being the music supervisor for...
ListenIan MacKaye from 2009-11-24T18:57
Ian MacKaye is a punk rock legend. His bands have included Minor Threat, Fugazi and most recently The Evens. He joined us live on stage in Washington DC.
ListenThe Sartorialist from 2009-11-12T22:13
Scott Schuman is the proprietor of the street photography blog The Sartorialist. His new book is a collection of the best of his photos.
ListenNick Hornby from 2009-11-10T11:46
Nick Hornby is the author of numerous novels; his most recent is called Juliet, Naked. He also wrote the film An Education.
ListenAndrew WK, Nellie McKay&The Spinto Band from 2009-11-06T16:29
Music from our recent East Coast trip from Andrew WK, Nellie McKay and The Spinto Band.
ListenComedy: Kumail Nanjiani and Kent Haines from 2009-11-04T12:15
Live comedy from our shows in Philadelphia and New York City.
ListenCharles Burns from 2009-11-03T17:17
Charles Burns is a cartoonist and illustrator whose best-known work is the graphic novel Black Hole. We spoke with him at the Philly Improv Theater in Philadelphia.
ListenThe Mutter Museum from 2009-10-29T13:01
Dr. Robert Hicks is the director of the Mutter Museum at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia. It's a museum of medical history - and oddities of the human body.
ListenRik Cordero: Live at WNYC from 2009-10-23T15:48
Rik Cordero helped revolutionize hip-hop videos with clips for artists like Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, The Roots and Nas. He's also the director of the feature film Inside A Change.
ListenScott Adsit: Live From WNYC from 2009-10-20T18:04
Scott Adsit is a veteran of Chicago's Second City and plays Pete on NBC's 30 Rock. We'll also talk about how Scott's involvement in the series Moral Orel almost caused a rift in his family. This ep...
ListenThe Trailer Park Boys from 2009-10-15T14:32
Ricky, Julian and Bubbles are the stars of the Canadian documentary-style sitcom The Trailer Park Boys. For years, the show has tracked their charming inability to make anything of themselves.
ListenLanghorne Slim from 2009-10-11T18:12
Langhorne Slim plays songs from his new album Be Set Free.
ListenBucky Sinister from 2009-10-06T17:52
Bucky Sinister is the author of Get Up: A 12-Step Guide to Recovery for Misfits, Freaks, and Weirdos
ListenMarc Maron: RRL from 2009-10-05T19:13
In a commentary, Marc Maron says he's not so sure that someone in India should be pre-distressing his belts.
ListenNathan Rabin from 2009-09-28T06:00
Nathan Rabin is head writer for The AV Club and author of The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought To You By Pop Culture.
ListenAn Hour with Kasper Hauser from 2009-09-14T19:16
A full, hilarious hour with the San Francisco comedy group Kasper Hauser, plus a bonus sketch for podcast listeners.
ListenGary Hustwit from 2009-09-10T12:32
The filmmaker behind the typeface documentary Helvetica talks about his new film Objectified, which explores our interactions with everyday stuff.
ListenMike Sacks, author of And Here's The Kicker from 2009-09-07T10:00
Inside comedy writing with Mike Sacks and his new book about comedy writers And Here's The Kicker: Conversations With 21 Top Humor Writers About Their Craft.
ListenBrent Weinbach from 2009-09-03T12:00
There's odd standup comedy, and then there's standup comedy so odd it gets you banned from a network late night show... after you've already taped your appearance. Comedian Brent Weinbach is my guest.
ListenAl Madrigal from 2009-08-31T14:08
Al Madrigal talks about his new comedy record Half Breed and the career he held before becoming a comedian: firing hundreds of people from their jobs.
ListenThe Rejection Show's Jon Friedman from 2009-08-24T12:00
Jon Friedman is a comedian, writer, and host of the The Rejection Show, New York City's live showcase of rejected work. His new book is Rejected: Tales of the Failed, Dumped and Cancelled. We'll h...
ListenRob Siegel from 2009-08-18T12:55
Rob Siegel is a former editor for The Onion and penned last year's Mickey Rourke vehicle The Wrestler. He's just written and directed Big Fan, a dark film starring Patton Oswalt as man beaten up by...
ListenChris Anderson from 2009-08-13T06:00
Chris Anderson is editor-in-chief of WIRED and is also the author of Free: The Future of a Radical Price which explores how the price for delivering content is trending towards zero. We'll talk abo...
ListenCharlyne Yi from 2009-08-04T12:12
Charlyne Yi made her first on screen appearance playing the stoned girlfriend of Martin Starr's character in the Judd Apatow flick Knocked Up. Now, she's written Paper Heart a documentary and narra...
ListenMichael Showalter and Michael Ian Black from 2009-07-27T11:52
Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black are the stars of the new Comedy Central series Michael & Michael Have Issues. They're also founding members of The State.
ListenArmando Iannucci from 2009-07-17T14:54
Armando Iannucci is one of the UK's most prominent comedy writers, producers and performers, having helped create shows like The Day Today and I'm Alan Partridge. His new film, In the Loop, is hea...
ListenMarc Maron from 2009-07-14T15:07
Marc Maron is a veteran standup comic whose new CD is entitled Final Engagement. He hosts the Air America web show Break Room Live.
ListenBill Withers from 2009-07-06T17:26
Bill Withers is the singer-songwriter behind soul classics like Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me, Just the Two of Us, Lovely Day and more.
ListenPaul and Storm: Nunfight from 2009-07-05T22:08
Paul and Storm offer a cultural commentary in song.
ListenAu Revoir Simone from 2009-07-02T12:13
Au Revoir Simone are an all-female, all-keyboard indie pop band from Brooklyn, New York. Their new CD is Still Night, Still Light.
ListenThe Language of Things from 2009-06-29T14:43
Deyan Sudjic is the director of the Design Museum in London, and the author of The Language of Things. He talks about the history and significance of design.
ListenRemembering Michael Jackson from 2009-06-26T20:13
Oliver Wang and Jay Smooth join Jesse to consider the life and music of Michael Jackson.
ListenMaxFunCon: Friday Comedy from 2009-06-24T13:26
Comedy from Chris Hardwick, Kasper Hauser and Jordan Morris, recorded live at MaxFunCon.
ListenMaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Creative Work from 2009-06-19T11:18
Merlin Mann talks about the process of doing creative work.
ListenMaxFunCon: John Hodgman Keynote from 2009-06-17T13:05
John Hodgman welcomes attendees to MaxFunCon 2009 with remarks on Malort &etc.
ListenPharoahe Monch from 2009-06-11T16:42
Pharoahe Monch is a legend of underground hip-hop. His most recent album is "Desire."
ListenBrother Ali from 2009-06-08T15:54
Brother Ali is a Minneapolis-based MC with a reputation for raw, soul-searching lyrics and passionate delivery.
ListenJonathan Coulton from 2009-06-04T16:09
Jonathan Coulton is a singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt, hilarious songs. He talks with us and performs a number of tunes from his catalog.
ListenBlitzen Trapper (Video) from 2009-05-20T15:24
Blitzen Trapper perform live in Portland on The Sound of Young America.
ListenNick Kroll from 2009-05-19T15:06
Nick Kroll has been featured in the television shows Cavemen, Sit Down & Shut Up, The Human Giant and The Life & Times of Tim. He's also the author of Bar Mitzvah Disco.
ListenRian Johnson from 2009-05-14T17:00
Rian Johnson is a film director best known for his 2006 film Brick. His new film is The Brothers Bloom.
ListenThe Right Questions (video) from 2009-05-14T11:09
A short video directed by Adam Lisagor for maximumfun.org.
ListenTrailer Park Boys from 2009-05-12T14:30
Mike Clattenburg is the creator of The Trailer Park Boys, a Canadian sitcom that has become an international phenomenon.
ListenShoe Store DJ from 2009-05-03T12:35
In a commentary, Scott Simpson says he'll never go into the family business.
ListenLloyd Kaufman from 2009-04-30T23:39
Lloyd Kaufman is co-founder of Troma Entertainment, one of the oldest continuously operating independent film companies in the country. Troma are best known for their often bizarre cult films, lik...
ListenEleni Mandell from 2009-04-28T12:55
Eleni Mandell is a Los Angeles singer-songwriter. She talks with us and performs some songs from her new album, Artificial Fire.
ListenJane Lynch from 2009-04-21T13:26
Actress Jane Lynch has been seen in films like The 40 Year Old Virgin, Role Models and Best in Show. She's featured on the new show Party Down, and stars on the upcoming FOX show Glee.
ListenThe Age of Persuasion from 2009-04-16T14:18
Terry O'Reilly is the host of the CBC's Age of Persuasion, a radio program about the history and practice of advertising.
ListenOn the Media from 2009-04-13T12:56
Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield are the hosts of On the Media, a weekly NPR show about the media industry.
ListenAdam Scott from 2009-04-09T12:00
Adam Scott is an actor who's been seen in films like Stepbrothers, and is now the star of the new Starz comedy series Party Down.
ListenMartin Starr from 2009-04-06T15:53
Martin Starr first rose to prominence as Bill Haverchuck on the cult series Freaks and Geeks. He's now featured in both the Starz series Party Down and the new film Adventureland.
ListenDana Gould from 2009-04-02T14:18
Dana Gould is a comedian and writer whose credits include six years as a writer and producer on The Simpsons.
ListenJohn Mulaney from 2009-03-30T20:12
John Mulaney is a standup comic and writer for Saturday Night Live. His first comedy CD is The Top Part.
ListenIntegrated Media with Merlin Mann, Bros. Chaps&Jeff Olsen from 2009-03-26T19:07
Merlin Mann, The Bros. Chaps (Homestar Runner) and Jeff Olsen (adultswim.com) talk with Jesse about building a brand online at the 2009 Integrated Media Association conference.
ListenSteven Johnson from 2009-03-19T13:30
Steven Johnson is a writer on the history of ideas whose books include The Ghost Map and Everything Bad Is Good For You. His latest is The Invention of Air.
ListenFree Darko from 2009-03-16T13:50
We talk with three of the writers behind the strange and irreverent basketball blog Free Darko. Their new book is The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac.
ListenThe Whitest Kids U Know from 2009-03-12T13:46
The Whitest Kids U Know are a sketch comedy group based in New York. Their eponymous television series is in its third season on IFC.
ListenJeffrey Tambor from 2009-03-09T13:41
Jeffrey Tambor is a veteran actor best known for his roles as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show and the patriarch of the Bluth family on Arrested Development.
ListenMiss Piggy from 2009-03-05T14:31
Miss Piggy is a model, actress and now author. Her new book is The Diva Code.
ListenJenna Fischer from 2009-03-02T13:06
Jenna Fischer is an actress, best known for her portrayal of the secretary Pam on NBC's The Office.
ListenKasper Hauser: Wedding Announcements from 2009-03-02T12:35
Wedding Announcements from Kasper Hauser's upcoming book Weddings of the Times.
ListenSean Cullen&Zion I in San Francisco from 2009-03-01T00:53
Sean Cullen is a Canadian comic, seen on Last Comic Standing and on his own Comedy Central Presents special. Zion I are a Bay Area hip-hop group whose new album is The Takeover. They performed at...
ListenTom Ammiano Live in San Francisco from 2009-02-26T16:38
California State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano is a fixture of the San Francisco political scene. He was the first openly gay man elected to a school board in California, and went on to become presid...
ListenJello Biafra Live in SF from 2009-02-23T20:44
Jello Biafra is a legendary free speech advocate and punk rock vocalist. We talked with him at our live show in San Francisco.
ListenJeffrey Tambor on the Arrested Development Movie from 2009-02-23T20:39
Jeffrey Tambor updates us on the state of the Arrested Development film.
ListenHow's Your News from 2009-02-19T11:46
How's Your News is a new series on MTV which follows a group of reporters with disabilities across the country. Arthur Bradford created How's Your News many ten years ago at a summer camp for the ...
ListenLarry Wilmore from 2009-02-15T21:24
Larry Wilmore is a comedy writer and performer. He's the author of "I'd Rather We Got Casinos," and is The Daily Show's Senior Black Correspondent. He also wrote for In Living Color and created t...
ListenAlien Vs. Predator from 2009-02-11T18:44
Poet Michael Robbins reads his poem "Alien Vs. Predator."
ListenSpike Feresten from 2009-02-05T18:10
Spike Feresten wrote for David Letterman, The Simpsons, Seinfeld and Saturday Night Live before going in front of the camera. Now he's hosting an hour-long late-night talkshow on FOX called, appro...
ListenNeil Gaiman and Henry Selick on Coraline from 2009-02-02T12:38
Neil Gaiman is the author of the dark children's fantasy novel "Coraline." Henry Selick is the director of the new stop motion animated film based on Gaiman's book.
ListenMeshell Ndegeocello from 2009-01-26T17:49
Meshell Nedgeocello is a soul singer and bass guitarist. Her most recent album is "The World Has Made Me The Man of My Dreams."
ListenLetterman's Writers from 2009-01-20T14:14
Eric and Justin Stangel are the co-Head Writers of The Late Show with David Letterman, and Bill Scheft is a long-time monologue writer on the show. The Letterman writers have just published a new ...
ListenScott McCloud from 2009-01-16T12:38
Scott McCloud is the comics artist behind the seminal "Understanding Comics," among many others. His newest is a collection of his 1980s series "Zot!"
ListenMike Birbiglia from 2009-01-13T13:21
Comedian Mike Birbiglia's one-man show, Sleepwalk with Me, was just extended at the Bleeker Street Theater in New York.
ListenDavid Malki ! from 2009-01-08T19:35
David Malki ! is the creator of the webcomic Wondermark. It's a surreal gag strip, with pictures lifted from 19th century magazine illustrations.
ListenChris Onstad from 2009-01-05T16:48
Chris Onstad is the artist behind the web comic Achewood. There's a new collection of the strip, called "The Great Outdoor Fight."
ListenBroke-Ass Stuart from 2009-01-02T14:16
Stuart Schuffman is the author of "Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply in New York," a follow-up to his "Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco."
ListenRob Corddry from 2008-12-22T05:15
Rob Corddry is an actor and comedian. For four years, he was a correspondent on The Daily Show. His most recent project is a web series for thewb.com called Children's Hospital.
ListenThe Last Christmas from 2008-12-18T17:40
Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan talk about their post-apocalyptic Santa Claus story The Last Christmas, plus a holiday sketch from Elephant Larry.
ListenHoly Headshot (Enhanced for iPod) from 2008-12-15T14:51
Patrick Borelli and Douglas Gorenstein are the authors of Holy Headshot, a book of bizarre and amazing head shots from actors and performers across the country. Note that this podcast is in .m4a (...
ListenThe Kids in the Hall from 2008-12-08T14:21
Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald are founding members of The Kids in the Hall. The group has reformed for a national tour of the US and an upcoming miniseries on Canadian television.
ListenAlan Zweibel from 2008-12-04T16:17
Alan Zweibel was an original writer on Saturday Night Live, a co-creator of the groundbreaking sitcom It's Garry Shandling's Show, and is a producer on and contributor to Curb Your Enthusiasm. His...
ListenJohn Hodgman from 2008-11-26T04:55
John Hodgman is a contributor to the Daily Show and the author of two books, the more recent of which is More Information Than You Require.
ListenGideon Yago from 2008-11-24T00:55
Gideon Yago is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, best known for his work on MTV News. He's the host of The IFC Media Project.
ListenThe Dirtbombs from 2008-11-21T03:19
The Dirtbombs are a Detroit-based rock and roll band. Their newest album is We Have You Surrounded.
ListenRaphael Saadiq from 2008-11-18T13:06
Raphael Saadiq is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was a founding member of the groups Tony! Toni! Tone! and Lucy Pearl.
ListenFound Magazine from 2008-11-12T19:33
Pete Rothbart is an editor at Found Magazine, a magazine composed exclusively of things people have found — from shopping lists to personal notes to (once) a dead frog.
ListenDan Savage from 2008-11-06T15:10
Dan Savage is the writer of the sex and relationship advice column Savage Love, which runs in alternative newspapers around the country. He also edits the Seattle newspaper The Stranger. This int...
ListenGraham Linehan from 2008-11-03T14:17
Graham Linehan is an Irish comedy writer, who co-created the sitcom Father Ted, and created the series The IT Crowd. He also worked on shows like Big Train, Brasseye, and The Day Today.
ListenComedy Spooktacular from 2008-10-31T13:22
Election comedy from Jordan Morris, an essay from Simon Rich and a SPOOKTACULAR sketch from Elephant Larry.
ListenMikita Brottman from 2008-10-30T13:01
Mikita Brottman is the author of The Solitary Vice: Against Reading.
ListenMarianna Palka from 2008-10-20T15:24
Marianna Palka is the writer, director and star of the independent film Good Dick, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently in theaters.
ListenJonathan Coulton, PWRFL Power and Rhett Miller at Bumbershoot from 2008-10-14T13:26
Music from Bumbershoot, with Jonathan Coulton, PWRFL Power and Rhett Miller of the Old 97s.
ListenTig Notaro & Greg Behrendt at Bumbershoot from 2008-10-08T17:22
Comedy from Greg Behrendt and Tig Notaro, plus a bonus interview with Behrendt.
ListenJaneane Garofalo at Bumbershoot from 2008-10-06T15:24
Janeane Garofalo is an actress and standup comic. She's currently a co-star on the FOX series 24, and is working the road as a standup as part of the "Satiristas."
ListenSandra Tsing Loh from 2008-10-02T13:53
Sandra Tsing Loh is a performer, commentator and writer based in Los Angeles. Her most recent book, about sending her daughter to school, is Mother On Fire: A True Mother*#$(ing Story About Parent...
ListenChip Kidd at Bumbershoot from 2008-09-22T14:38
Chip Kidd is one of the world's best-known designers; he's designed book covers for innumerable authors. He's also a comic novelist. His most recent novel is The Learners.
ListenHuman Giant at Bumbershoot from 2008-09-17T16:17
The Human Giant are a sketch group whose eponymous series airs on MTV. We talked with them live on stage at Bumbershoot.
ListenAdrian Tomine from 2008-09-13T15:46
Comics artist Adrian Tomine is the creator of the series Optic Nerve. His most recent book is "Shortcomings."
ListenThe Submarines from 2008-09-04T17:24
Chris Bowman interviews the Los Angeles indie pop group The Submarines. Their most recent album is Honeysuckle Weeks.
ListenBob Powers from 2008-08-22T19:57
Bob Powers is the author of the new choose-your-own-adventure-style book "You Are a Miserable Excuse for a Hero."
ListenThe Hold Steady from 2008-08-19T13:17
The Hold Steady are a Brooklyn-based, Minneapolis-bred rock and roll band. They're known for grand songs about teenagers and tough times.
ListenChris Parnell from 2008-07-30T21:08
Chris Parnell is an actor best known for his long stint on Saturday Night Live. He's also appeared in films like Anchorman and recently, Kabluey.
ListenExplorers Club from 2008-07-21T18:37
The Explorers Club are a South Carolina-based rock band, whose music recalls the Southern California rock of the 1960s and the melodramatic pop of Phil Spector.
ListenJay Smooth from 2008-07-15T17:44
Jay Smooth is a hip-hop radio host, blogger and vlogger. This interview was recorded live at Sketchfest NYC at the UCB Theater in New York.
ListenLive in NYC: Music & Comedy from 2008-07-12T00:55
Comedy from Michael Showalter and Pangea 3000, music from Dawn Landes. Recorded live in New York.
ListenBlu of Blu & Exile from 2008-07-03T14:55
Blu is the MC half of the hip-hop duo Blu & Exile. They released their critically-acclaimed first album, "Below the Heavens," last year.
ListenThe Pixar Touch from 2008-06-26T18:22
David A. Price is the author of The Pixar Touch: The Making Of A Company. The book traces the history of Pixar from technology company to entertainment behemoth.
ListenAmerican Nerd from 2008-06-23T13:05
Benjamin Nugent is the author of "American Nerd: The Story of My People," a combination of memoir, sociology and reportage on the nerd in American life.
ListenAriel Schrag from 2008-06-20T13:08
Ariel Schrag wrote the autobiographical comics Definition, Awkward and Potential while still in high school in the late 90s. The books were just re-published.
ListenComedy At The Edge from 2008-06-12T13:29
Richard Zoglin is the author of "Comedy at the Edge: How stand-up comedy in the 1970's changed America".
ListenThe Chris Farley Show from 2008-06-09T19:52
Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby talk about their book "The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts."
ListenThe Grouch from 2008-06-03T14:21
The Grouch is a fixture in the West Coast independent hip-hop scene, as a solo artist and as a member of The Living Legends. The group help blaze the trail for independent, underground hip-hop in ...
ListenJack Handey from 2008-05-30T18:56
Jack Handey is the creator of "Deep Thoughts," and now the author of "What I'd Say To The Martians (and Other Veiled Threats)."
ListenKenny Mayne from 2008-05-27T19:31
Kenny Mayne is a long-time ESPN personality. He's now also an author, with "An Incomplete & Innacurate History of Sport."
ListenReno 911 Creators from 2008-05-22T23:11
Guests Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Kerri Kenney-Silver are the co-creators and stars of Reno 911. The Comedy Central series, which spoofs COPS-style reality shows, is entering the second ...
ListenNellie McKay from 2008-05-20T14:48
Nellie McKay is a singer-songwriter who's garnered broad acclaim for her spectacular singing voice and her wry, funny songs.
ListenKirby: King of Comics from 2008-05-08T17:23
Mark Evanier is that author of Kirby: King of Comics, a lavishly illustrated biography of comic book legend Jack Kirby. He also worked with Kirby in the 1960s and 70s.
ListenThe Ten-Cent Plague from 2008-05-02T09:20
David Hajdu is an award-winning cultural historian. His book The Ten Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How It Changed America, about the censorship of comics in the mid-1950s.
ListenBill James from 2008-04-29T13:56
Bill James is the father of sabermetrics, that objective analysis and study of baseball. His bright, funny writing brought baseball analysis to the masses in the 1980s, and helped revolutionize th...
ListenSloane Crosley from 2008-04-23T20:26
Sloane Crosley is author of the humorous essay collection "I Was Told There'd Be Cake." It recently debuted on the New York Times bestseller list.
ListenConservatize Me from 2008-04-18T13:25
John Moe is the author of Conservatize Me: How I Tried to Become a Righty With The Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith and Beef Jerky. He's also a contributor to American Public Media'...
ListenDavid Mitchell of Mitchell & Webb from 2008-04-09T17:58
David Mitchell is half of the British comedy team Mitchell & Webb. They're the stars of the acclaimed UK TV series "Peep Show" and "That Mitchell & Webb Look," the latter of which is running in th...
ListenDan Kennedy from 2008-04-03T17:22
Dan Kennedy is the author of "Rock On: An Office Power Ballad." It's a comic memoir about his time in the music industry.
ListenComedy by the Numbers from 2008-03-30T18:45
Prof. Eric Hoffman and Dr. Gary Rudoren are comedy researchers who've created Comedy by the Numbers: 169 Secrets of Humor and Popularity.
ListenBen Karlin from 2008-03-13T15:34
Ben Karlin was editor of The Onion, Executive Producer and Head Writer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a writer on America: The Book and co-creator of The Colbert Report. He's just edited a bo...
ListenComedy: Andy Kindler & Morgan Murphy from 2008-03-10T20:00
One of the LA alt-comedy scenes newest faces and one of its veterans perform standup.
ListenAsk for it by name! from 2008-03-08T21:30
A special video request from Jesse: ask your local public radio stations to carry The Sound of Young America. The stakes are huge for the future of the show, and a quick phone call or email can ma...
ListenTony Millionaire from 2008-03-05T16:24
Tony Millionaire is the creator of the cartoon strip Maakies, which runs in alternative newspapers around the country. The strip has recently been picked up as a television series on adult swim ca...
ListenJoel Hodgson and Cinematic Titanic from 2008-02-27T19:25
Joel Hodgson was the original host of Mystery Science Theater 3000. He and his cohorts J. Elvis Weinstein and Frank Conniff discuss their new venture, Cinematic Titanic, which is, format-wise, a f...
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